Anyway, over to Chris:
“We are constantly looking at possible signings, but there isn’t anything pressing at the moment. I can’t see anything happening in the short term. We don’t want to sign players just for the sake of it, they have to be the right players as we work towards the January transfer window.”
Referring to the return of ‘big hitters’ such as Coloccini, Steven Taylor and others, he added: (more…)
I think Hughton is yanking my chain because back on 31st October I wrote an article suggesting that Campbell was one of his transfer targets but then on the 3rd November I had to write an article saying he wasn’t after Hughton said:
“There is no truth in this whatsoever. The first I heard about it was when it was on the television in the morning. We are looking elsewhere and it is an ongoing thing. Sol is an excellent player but there is nothing happening regarding him coming to Newcastle.”
However, it now seems Sol Campbell is a transfer target for Hughton after all. Hughton said yesterday:
“Sol is one signing that might possibly happen here.
“He’s still got a lot to offer the game and, although he’ll get a lot of offers, I wouldn’t rule him coming to Newcastle out.”
“I wouldn’t expect Sol to be fit enough to play again until after Christmas.” (more…)
Following Keegan’s tribunal and the £2m it awarded him, it was speculated that Ashley would give Hughton some of the £8m he had set aside to pay Keegan off. However, Lee Ryder thinks otherwise. Having read the article I’m not clear why he thinks that though.
Ryder himself speculates that:
“… with the current regime at United still counting the cost of relegation and smaller crowds at St James’s this season, Ashley will continue to exercise caution when the window re-opens for business on January 1.” (more…)
Fabricio Coloccini picked up a groin strain and Ryan Taylor picked up a calf injury during Saturday’s game against Ipswich. Danny Simpson is also sidelined with an ankle injury from the Plymouth game and is doubtful for this week’s games. These add to the longer-term injuries of Shola Ameobi and Joey Barton with the latter now expected to be out until Christmas with an ankle injury.
Hughton said:
“As ever we will be assessing everybody as we go along.
“Ryan has been suffering with a little tightness in his calf and is a doubt. But Fabricio looks the more doubtful of the two and we are probably more hopeful on Ryan.
“Danny Simpson has got a chance but he is again touch and go. And providing Jonas gets through the next few days without any problems, he could also be back against QPR.”
So it’s good news about Jonas but there’s going to be some defensive reshuffling needed. (more…)