EGYPTIAN striker Amr Zaki claims Newcastle United are one of several clubs vying for his services.

The frontman, part of the squad for the African Nations Cup which begins in his homeland on Friday, plays for ENPPI but is keen on a move to Europe.

Clubs in France and Germany have been monitoring the progress of the player who has scored 12 goals in 16 appearances for his country, including 11 in his last dozen starts.

He also led ENPPI to Egyptian Cup success and to a runners-up spot in the Egyptian League last season, where he was joint-third top scorer. He is the league's top scorer with eight goals in 13 games.

"I have received French offers from Bordeaux and Nantes," Zaki said. "There is also an offer from Nantes.

"There is an English agency that has spoken to ENPPI and my club has said to them that they have the permission to take on my case.

"In four days they (the agency) will give the club two offers from England.

"One of them is from Newcastle United and is worth £1.3m or more.''

Zaki claims he could wrap up a deal before the African Nations Cup gets underway.

"It is possible that the English offer can be confirmed before the tournament,'' he said. "Especially as I have played more than 75 per cent of the national team's games in the last two years and those people that have been following me are convinced in me.

"The English company is trying to bring the highest fee."

Newcastle are in need of ammunition up front, especially as Michael Owen will be sidelined for at least eight more weeks.

Owen began his rehabilitation from surgery to repair his fractured metatarsal yesterday after promising he would be back for at least the final month of the domestic season,

Fenerbahce striker Nicolas Anelka, a summer target, has made no secret of his desire to resume his Premiership career on Tyneside, but cash for Souness is at a premium and the Turks show few signs of being prepared to negotiate on their £12m price tag last time around amid suggestions of a pay-as-you-play deal.

The Magpies also need defensive reinforcements, though, and are keen to take Charlton midfielder Danny Murphy in exchange for Lee Bowyer, although they are not prepared to make up the £2.5m difference in the Londoners' respective valuations of the two men.

The Magpies could face competition from Rangers if they decide to act on interest in FC Thun left-back Jose Goncalves.

The 20-year-old spent a week on trial at Everton recently, but as yet there has been nothing concrete from David Moyes' outfit.

l A Football Association disciplinary commission hearing yesterday rejected Manchester United's claim that Cristiano Ronaldo was wrongfully dismissed in Saturday's defeat at Manchester City.

The Portuguese winger was sent off on Saturday for a lunge at Andy Cole when United were trailing 2-0 in the Premiership.

Referee Steve Bennett showed the 20-year-old a straight red card and United went on to lose 3-1.

Ronaldo's challenge came seconds after he was the victim of a late tackle by Stephen Jordan.

But United's bid to get the three-match suspension overturned has proved unsuccessful and he is banned with immediate effect.

He will miss tonight's FA Cup third-round replay with Burton Albion, Sunday's Barclays Premiership match with Liverpool and next Wednesday's Carling Cup semi-final second leg against Blackburn.

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