Harewood itching to finish the job at Newcastle

Dec 28 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

MARLON Harewood signed off for Newcastle United with a final plea to Chris Hughton – and a warning for the rest of the season.

Harewood’s three-month loan spell expired on Boxing Day and he reaffirmed his desire to return in the New Year – either on loan or on a permanent basis – to complete the job of helping United into the Premier League.

Magpies manager Hughton continues to give few clues about his intentions in the upcoming transfer window but said he does not want the uncertainty to “drag on” through January. His thinking may be swayed by renewed interest in Leeds United striker Jermaine Beckford, still unsettled at Elland Road.

Extending Harewood’s loan would be a safer option given his recent fine goal-scoring form and experience of two promotions from the Championship – knowledge that could be important during a run-in that the Aston Villa striker believes will be made more difficult because they have performed so well up to this point. “I don’t know what’s going to happen, no-one has told me anything yet. Players don’t really get involved in that – you never really know until it actually happens so I’ll just have to wait and see now,” he said.

“But my time at Newcastle has been unbelievable. I’ve really enjoyed it, the fans have been great, the lads have been great and I feel I’ve got better with every game.

“I’d love to come back until the end of the season or longer and finish the job now but it’s up to the gaffer if he wants me and the two clubs to sort it out now.

“But I think if I come back it will be difficult in the second half of the season.

“We wouldn’t change where we are in the league for anything but there is pressure being at the top of the division, you’re there to be shot at.

“I think the way we’ve been playing means that everyone wants us to beat us and that is something that you have to deal with.

“There’s going to be pressure on the lads in the second half of the season because of how well they’ve done so far. Everyone will want to knock us off the top. But this is a good side, we’ve proved that.” Hughton is set to make a decision on the future of Harewood – along with

defender Danny Simpson – following United’s FA Cup third round tie with Plymouth and it is obviously far from decided.

“This was Marlon’s last game, so for the time being at least, he’s reverted to being an Aston Villa player,” said the United boss.

“I’ve spoken to everyone concerned, and we now have to make a decision with regard to Marlon’s future, just like we also have to make a decision with regard to the centre-half position.

“We’re in the process of weighing up all the options we have.

“As soon as we’ve done that, we’ll endeavour to make the decision we need to and try to tie up things from there.

“We have options, but the main thing I want to avoid is any of the situations dragging on deep into January.

“My biggest hope is that we can put everything to bed early.

“We’re aware of the situation, and we know we have decision we have to make.

“We’re in the process of making those and I’m confident it won’t be something that becomes a protracted issue.”

Meanwhile, Hughton confirmed that Alan Smith will be back for today’s game against Derby County. “He took a very heavy whack in the Middlesbrough game, but played on for a period of time in that match.

“It would have been too big a risk to play him here, but he’ll certainly be available for Monday.”