Newcastle United striker Peter Lovenkrands has said that he is hoping to play a part in the club's derby game against Sunderland this afternoon.

Lovenkrands has found his first-team opportunities limited at the Sports Direct Arena this season, but with doubts over the fitness of Shola Ameobi and Papiss Cisse ahead of the local clash, the Dane could find that he is called upon.

"It would be a big plus to be involved," he told the club's official website. "I just hope I can be part of it. I love derbies.

"I'm not getting much playing time at the moment but I'll bide my time. It's been tough, but I'll try to be positive and hopefully get a chance at some point again."

Lovenkrands joined Newcastle from German outfit Schalke 04 in 2009.