PETER LOVENKRANDS hopes to retain his place when Newcastle United go on their travels this weekend, but caretaker boss Chris Hughton warns he is spoilt for choice in attack.

Lovenkrands was asked to partner Marlon Harewood against Bristol City 12 days ago, but both failed to find the target as Newcastle played out a tame 0-0 draw.

With Harewood hoping to recover from a foot problem sustained in training earlier this week, Hughton will assess his options tomorrow morning.

Andy Carroll was on the bench against Bristol City and Lovenkrands admits Newcastle have the striker options to succeed in the Championship.

“We look very strong up front, we have a lot of good strikers to choose from and all of us are capable of scoring at this level,” said Lovenkrands.

“Probably people thought that with the players we lost over the summer, it would be difficult for us this season up front, but we now have plenty of options and I think we’re starting to see that now.

“We have players who might not look out of place in the division above. Andy Carroll is playing very well, you would never know that he hasn’t been around for that long with the way he’s playing.

Nile Ranger is another good player who has settled in very well.

“Shola Ameobi is another one who people shouldn’t forget about.”

With Ranger battling to overcome a virus that prevented him from playing for the England Under-19s, Hughton hopes to have all of his options, bar long term casualty Ameobi available to him at Nottingham Forest.

He does, however, have a major doubt over Steven Taylor, who will find out today the extent of a hamstring problem he is carrying.