Peter Lovenkrands would like to stay with Newcastle United next season

Peter Lovenkrands admits that Newcastle United's survival hopes look a bit brighter now that their destiny is back in their own hands.

Monday's 3-1 win at St James' Park over Middlesbrough, sealed by Lovenkrands' late strike, lifted them out of the bottom three with just two games left.

And Danish winger Lovenkrands told BBC Newcastle: "It's back in our own hands. We don't have to rely on others.

"There's two games to go and it's a very, very important two games."

Lovenkrands is already hailing Alan Shearer's impact as manager in his 43 days in charge, admitting: "He's done a magnificent job.

"He's the local hero here. Him and Iain Dowie have come in and done really well.

"They've changed wee things around. They can't of course change everything in a short period of time, but the things they have changed have helped a lot."

Having penned a six-month deal when he signed from Schalke in January, the 29-year-old former Rangers player is adamant that he wants to stay on Tyneside beyond the end of the season,

"I'm really loving it here, so hopefully something will happen over the next couple of weeks," he said.

"But I just need to concentrate on my football."

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