After being snubbed by Rangers in pre-season (he trained at Ibrox for two months), Lovenkrands has scored 13 goals in 26 games for Newcastle this season – an outstanding return for a player who is still mourning his father, who passed away after a long battle with Alzheimers in January.
Chris Hughton: “I have been very impressed with Peter and he has just grown in confidence as the season has gone on.
“He’s a strong character – he has proved that with the way he has coped with things off-the-field. And he’s also probably changed my mind a bit – I brought him in because he can play several different positions but he has done so well as an out-and-out striker that has influenced my thinking.
“He is a striker who just loves playing off that last defender and can run off him. The goal on Saturday was a typical Peter Lovenkrands goal – but he needs the service from the likes of Jonas Gutierrez, so he should be given credit as well.
“It is not my role to do the national manager’s job but he couldn’t get a better reference from me.
“This is a player scoring goals on a regular basis – albeit not in the top division – but he is playing with real confidence at the moment.
“I would be absolutely delighted if he made it to the World Cup.”