Chris Hughton forced to put plan on hold

Oct 8 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

CHRIS Hughton has denied Newcastle United are looking to turn any of their loan signings into permanent deals because of the continuing uncertainty surrounding the ownership of the club.

Marlon Harewood, Zurab Khizanishvili and Danny Simpson have all hinted they would be interested in a long-term contract at Newcastle, but as things stand all three will be returning to their clubs at the end of their temporary stays.

Although Hughton is doing his best to plan for the future as Newcastle’s caretaker boss, he admitted he can only really control the present as he has no idea whether he will have money to spend in January.

That means any plans he has for permanent signings are on hold until he knows whether owner Mike Ashley intends to sell the club or take it off the market.

“I haven’t had any contact with the owner and we are still waiting for a statement which either says the club has been sold or it is not going to be sold,” said Hughton, who has given the players a few days off this week as a well-deserved break following their encouraging start to the Championship campaign.

“Until that happens, all we can do is focus on the here and now. That occupies at least 95% of my thoughts.

“We do try to plan for the long term, but in reality we can’t do very much because of the situation here. We have got three players in on loan and we have been delighted with all three of them so far. They have all made a contribution.

“But in terms of looking at turning them into permanent transfers we have not thought about it.

“I don’t know what will happen in January in that respect. That is all very much on hold and all I can do is work with the players that I have now and try to make sure we continue as we have been doing.”

Hughton has become immune to speculation concerning the sale of the club and, while he is as much in the dark about Ashley’s plans as everyone else, he is content to carry on as caretaker boss for as long as he is needed.

He said: “It’s isn’t a distraction, it’s become normal for us. We have got used to it. It’s really great just to be able to focus on the team and winning football matches.