Chris Hughton waits to select NUFC skipper

Jul 31 2010 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

CHRIS Hughton is more concerned with gauging how his Newcastle United players cope with a step up in class this afternoon than what he sees as the relatively trivial matter of choosing a captain.

With Hughton yet to decide who will replace Nicky Butt as skipper, Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton, Alan Smith or Steve Harper could wear the armband in this afternoon’s friendly at home to PSV Eindhoven. New signings Sol Campbell and James Perch also have captaincy experience.

Although the Magpies manager places more emphasis on having a wealth of candidates than singling out a figurehead, a definitive choice will be made soon from last season’s pool of players.

“For me it’s more important you have players of presence and influence who want to show that on and off the football pitch,” Hughton said. “Would I rather have one outstanding figure or a group you can rely on with some good, strong personalties? I would rather have the latter.

“It’s not a decision I have to make at this moment. I am conscious we are getting to the start of the season and by that time I will have decided. One has to be appointed but for me it’s not an important thing.” Some were expecting Campbell to be chosen after joining on a free transfer this week, but Hughton will not parachute in a skipper at the expense of the characters who served him so well in the Championship.

“We have a lot of players that come into the reckoning,” he said. “He is a player of great experience and one we see as captain material. But in front of Sol there are a lot of other candidates who have been here for a few seasons and been through a lot.”

PSV’s players ought to be fitter than Newcastle’s because their season starts in Heerenveen a week today, as opposed to August 16 for the hosts.

“It’s a good thing they are ahead of us in their preparations,” said Hughton. “This game is a step up. It will be a high-quality game with the competitiveness we need. The fact it is at St James’ makes it important for us too.”