Newcastle interim boss Joe Kinnear has asked Roma about the availability of John Arne Riise.

Kinnear is plotting new signings when the transfer window reopens and a new left-back is thought to be top of his wanted list.

Riise is among Kinnear's targets, with the former Liverpool star struggling to hold down a regular place in the Roma starting XI, though the the Irishman is not optimistic over his side's chances of landing the Norwegian full-back.

"John's name came up specifically because he's not been in their team and he's a good player," Kinnear told The Journal. "We made contact with their club and asked 'Is there any chance of a loan?' and that's as far as it's got at the moment.

"And what happened after I'd made the call? He's back in the team and playing well, which changes things. When you make the call you're always aware that things can change."

Kinnear could be boosted by the return to action of Mark Viduka this weekend against Middlesbrough.

Viduka has yet to feature for Newcastle this season because of an Achilles problem, but he is back in training and could be on the bench for the trip to his old club Middlesbrough.

"He's not far off, I can tell you. Obviously he hasn't had games but you might find that he's on the bench on Saturday."

"What we decided to do with Mark was to ask him to try and come back into training.

"We didn't want to hurry him up because we don't want to risk him breaking down again but if he felt like he could come back into the sessions then we were happy for him to do that.

"It was a matter of bringing him back gradually and seeing what he could manage but he's surprised us all.

"He's got better and better as the days have gone on and some of the things he's been doing have been excellent. We'll see how he goes now but there is a chance of him being involved."