Move for Sol Campbell news to Chris Hughton

Aug 18 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

CHRIS Hughton has played down talk of Newcastle United moving to sign ex-England defender Sol Campbell in the near future – and revealed he is still waiting for the green light to make further additions to his threadbare squad.

Campbell sparked speculation that he is set to join United by watching Saturday’s emphatic victory against Reading before revealing that he wants a move to St James’s Park.

But Hughton has suggested that he will only be moving to bring in a centre-back if the current pairing of Fabricio Coloccini and Steven Taylor is broken up.

The loan signing of Danny Simpson on Friday appeared to suggest that the United hierarchy had sanctioned a belated recruitment drive, but the caretaker boss said that he has not been given permission to bring any more players in.

That will only be granted when Mike Ashley finally brings the long-running takeover saga to an end – either by taking the club off the market or by agreeing to sell.

Ironically, Ashley’s reticence to finance moves for new players does not apply to departures – with uncertainty still surrounding the future of both Everton target Taylor and Coloccini, who is reportedly interesting Lazio.

If either of them did depart, the situation may change but, in the meantime, Hughton has ruled out moves for Campbell and former United winger Peter Løvenkrands – who remains a free agent after a summer trying to find a new club.

“Nothing is imminent with players coming in – we’ve not got anything lined up at this moment,” Hughton said.