Chris Hughton admitted the lad had problems in the early part of his football career because he couldn't keep out of trouble ... but all that changed when he moved to the north-east.
However ... Ranger is the target for Crystal Palace with a year-long loan deal.
George Burley: "I've made no secret that we need a striker and he is one we are interested in.
"We're talking to a couple of clubs about loans and that is one deal we're hoping to wrap up.
"We still need to strengthen. We had a good week down in the south west but it would have been nice to have got one or two new players in over the past seven days. Hopefully we can do that this week."
NEWCASTLE UTD
Saturday 14th August 2010
Barclays Premier League
Man Utd v Newcastle 15.00
Saturday 21st August 2010
Barclays Premier League
Newcastle v Aston Villa 15.00
Saturday 28th August 2010
Barclays Premier League
Wolves v Newcastle 15.00
Saturday 11th September 2010
Barclays Premier League
Newcastle v Blackpool 15.00