Chris Hughton hoping injured trio return for Chelsea match

Mar 31 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

Duff has been in decent form when he has played this season, but again minor knocks have disrupted his season. Hughton hopes that he can take the momentum of a good showing against Arsenal into the Chelsea game – if he’s passed fit.

“He had a very good hour against the Arsenal. I thought he was very positive in everything he did,” Hughton said. “It’s frustrating for him to be out injured.

“He had his first pre-season for three years – he certainly showed in periods what a good player he is this season for club and country. He’d be a big loss if he didn’t play – especially on the back of a good performance last week.”

As for Owen, who continues to dominate the England agenda after Capello appeared to shut the door on his international hopes, Hughton says that his omission from the squad could end up helping United.

He has been effectively written off in some quarters but Hughton (pictured right) believes Owen will ignore the criticism and continue to focus on helping Newcastle’s fight against the drop.

“On a strictly selfish point of view, it’s been good to have Michael here. What he has been able to do is to put in hard sessions during the period he’s been here,” Hughton said.

“It’s always more difficult during international weeks because you have less players to work with. We’ve still got a decent group here, though.

“From a personal point of view, it’s great to have him here. I think Michael is focused on the job in hand and will ignore what’s said or written.

“What Michael has had in amongst that, he’s just back from a six-week injury period.

“The most important thing is he is fully recovered from that injury and he gets back to the Michael we know.

“Michael will just concentrate on doing the best that he can. It’s the tough end of the season now and it’s about what part he can play in the last eight games.”