Shefki Kuqi. Not exactly the name Newcastle fans had in mind when they were thinking of potential replacements for Andy Carroll after the Magpies received a whopping £35m for their prized asset.

Of course the club will insist the 34-year-old is merely a stop-gap until the end of the season when they will have the opportunity to reinvest in the team.

But for a club that make noises about being a big club – Chris Hughton was apparently ill-equipped to take Newcastle United to the places they wanted to be, hence the reason for being sacked – signing a journeyman like Kuqi represents a backward step.

 

But nothing should surprise us about Newcastle any more. In a week when they created history by coming back from four goals down to salvage a 4-4 draw in stunning fashion against Arsenal, the signing of a player recently released by Championship side Swansea should be the norm.

But it will make some people on Tyneside a bit anxious about the direction and future of the club, not to mention how the money raised from Carroll’s departure will be spent.

The club can sugar-coat Kuqi’s arrival – a squad player, a player to boost the numbers at a time when the transfer window is closed and a player full of experience in English football, albeit not so much in the Premier League.

But there will be no hiding in the summer. The club will be watched like a hawk and if they break their promises and don’t invest wisely, Shekfi Kuqi will be the least of their problems.