Newcastle United are pushing Liverpool to let them take Daniel Sturridge on-loan and are hopeful, as they look to solve their striker shortage.

Rafa Benitez is desperate to add more fire-power to his squad, but they have so far been frustrated in their bid for number one target Nicolai Joregnsen of Feyenoord.

They also tried for Leicester City’s Islam Slimani, but he instead looks set to move to the continent.

I understand that Newcastle are now hoping to land Sturridge but have also asked Leicester about Kelechi Iheanacho.

Sturridge is Newcastle’s top target, and revealed early in January that they had declared their interest when it became known that he would be allowed to leave ahead of Danny Ings – who Newcastle were keen on.

Inter Milan and Sevilla also wanted Sturridge, but it now seems staying in England is the likeliest option.

Southampton were leading the chase but they instead went elsewhere – although West Ham United and West Brom also remain interested but Benitez is using his Merseyside connections to try and get a deal done for Sturridge.

Iheanacho, who has started just two Premier League games since his £25million move from Manchester City in the summer, is also on Benitez’s radar and the 21-year-old, who impressed in the weekend win over Peterborough, might be an option if the Sturridge deal does not work out.

A host of Bookmakers have already closed their books on Sturridge moving to Newcastle.