Hughton: I decide Magpies’ transfers

Nov 7 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

“If you are asking if I have been told figures, then no,” Hughton said. “What I have been told is it’s my responsibility to determine what I need to bring in. If I need to strengthen, they (the board) would support me in that.

“In my endeavours to get where we want to be in January, the board will support me in terms of tackling what needs to be tackled.

“I need to determine what areas I need to bring players into. If we have injuries we are stretched so I will target the areas and players needed. And I have been told I will be supported. There might be a loan signing, a fee signing, but that is to be worked on.”

Hughton maintains his public perception as a tool of Ashley does not upset him, nor will it distract him from the task of returning his club to the top-flight.

“No it doesn’t hurt, I have one responsibility and that is to manage this group of lads, my remit is simply that,” he said. “We are sitting on top of the table so we must be doing something right. We have to make sure that continues.

“I can only work within the perimeters of the job. We have had financial restraints for obvious reasons and all I can do to is work around them.”

Newcastle are boosted by the return from injury of centre-back Steven Taylor (pictured far left) for today’s visit of struggling Peterborough. On-loan Zurab Khizanishvili serves the second game of a three-match suspension.

Meanwhile, the January 30 trip to Leicester City has been moved to a 5.20pm kick-off live on Sky Sports.