Newcastle United caretaker boss Chris Hughton has set his sights on Everton striker James Vaughan as a short-term replacement for crocked frontman Shola Ameobi.

Ameobi is set to be out for around six weeks following the knock he picked up against Huddersfield recently and Hughton knows he now needs reinforcements.

The Magpies paper-thin squad is already being tested after Argentine winger Jonas Gutierrez pulled a hamstring last week, and he faces at least a month out.

Ameobi has been in the form of his life at St James' Park having already racked up five goals this term, including the one he scored off the bench in the game where he suffered a suspected broken foot.

Vaughan, 21, has had a number of injury problems of his own over the past couple of seasons but now fit and ready for action he has slipped down the pecking order at Goodison Park, and would welcome the opportunity of first team football.

Hughton sees him as an ideal partner for Andy Carroll and is hoping to put together a fruitful partnership to help propel the Toon Army's promotion charge up the table with an initial loan deal until January.

David Moyes will make a decision over the weekend and if Vaughan is granted his wish, he could go straight into the squad for Monday's home tie against Leicester City.