Newcastle United News
NEWCASTLE United are expected to announce three loan signings next week in a last-ditch attempt to strengthen the squad after months of frustrating delays at St James’s Park.
Hughton has tried hard to keep his targets under wraps, although it is believed Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood is one of the players he wants to bring in ahead of the trip to Cardiff City on September 13.
The Magpies are desperately short in that area because of a foot injury to Shola Ameobi, while Peter Løvenkrands is lacking match fitness having only trained with Glasgow Rangers in pre-season.
Manchester United’s young defender Craig Cathcart is another likely arrival as the Magpies look to exploit the loophole in the transfer window system by making use of so-called “emergency” loans system.
The Journal understands Hughton – who will almost certainly be named Championship manager of the month for August – is also looking to add a wide player to his squad as he tries to maintain United’s impressive start to the season which has seen them win five out of their six games.
Hughton said: “We’re able to bring in loan players seven days after the window shuts so we will certainly be looking to take advantage of that. We were looking at players before the window shut, but we have to wait for a week and then we can hopefully get something done before the Cardiff game.
“We know the squad is short on numbers and we want to bring in players, but they have to be the right players for us. We couldn’t reach an agreement with a couple on Tuesday and so the business couldn’t be done in time.”
Although Hughton has mentioned the existence of a small transfer kitty, that money will be used to pay loan fees as most clubs demand some sort of payment to take players on a temporary basis.
This belated recruitment programme – along with the refusal to allow any more players to leave this week – is just part of a gradual shift from owner Mike Ashley, who is privately beginning to plan for the possibility the club will not be sold and he stays in charge.
Although the United hierarchy – who remain confident the team will be
promoted this season despite the lack of numbers available – are still talking to prospective new owner Barry Moat and other interested private groups, it is looking increasingly unlikely the club will be sold in the short term.
Indeed, while merchant bank Seymour Pierce are still looking for a buyer, Ashley and managing director Derek Llambias have also been talking directly to other interested parties who have yet to begin due diligence which, as we have seen already this summer, takes several weeks to complete.
That has forced Ashley to take more of an interest in the squad’s strength rather than just the urgent need to slash the wage bill and costs following relegation.
The Journal has been told there are no plans to appoint a permanent manager at this stage because of the good job done by Hughton and assistant manager Colin Calderwood.
However, that may well change if takeover talks continues to stall with Joe Kinnear expected to be given the green light to return to work by doctors next month.
The prospect of Kinnear’s return will not sit well with many fans given the mocking comments he made over the summer about their adulation for Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer.
Unlike Hughton, Kinnear has also publicly defended Ashley and insisted that it is only Newcastle supporters – and not others in the game – who feel the sports shop billionaire should sell up.
Indeed, many United fans would be probably be happier if Hughton was kept in charge, even though the former Tottenham player won just one out of the nine games he was left in charge last term.
Meanwhile, Cathcart is determined to put his transfer deadline day blues behind him and help Northern Ireland Under-21s off to a flying start in their European Championship qualifying campaign.
Cathcart was due to train yesterday on the eve of the away match against the Czech Republic after linking up with the squad on Wednesday.
The 20-year-old, who spent last season on loan to Plymouth, was given leave as he was in talks with Newcastle.
His proposed move broke down when he failed a medical, but it is understood a loan deal could still be an option.
Under-21 manager Steve Beaglehole said: “Craig has not trained for the last couple of days and it is important we get him in the right frame of mind.
“He is an experienced player for us as he has played in the Coca-Cola Championship week in, week out.
“He is fit to play as far I am concerned and I know he just wants a good blow-out.”
NEWCASTLE United are expected to announce three loan signings next week in a last-ditch attempt to strengthen the squad after months of frustrating delays at St James’s Park.
Hughton has tried hard to keep his targets under wraps, although it is believed Aston Villa striker Marlon Harewood is one of the players he wants to bring in ahead of the trip to Cardiff City on September 13.
The Magpies are desperately short in that area because of a foot injury to Shola Ameobi, while Peter Løvenkrands is lacking match fitness having only trained with Glasgow Rangers in pre-season.
Manchester United’s young defender Craig Cathcart is another likely arrival as the Magpies look to exploit the loophole in the transfer window system by making use of so-called “emergency” loans system.
The Journal understands Hughton – who will almost certainly be named Championship manager of the month for August – is also looking to add a wide player to his squad as he tries to maintain United’s impressive start to the season which has seen them win five out of their six games.
Hughton said: “We’re able to bring in loan players seven days after the window shuts so we will certainly be looking to take advantage of that. We were looking at players before the window shut, but we have to wait for a week and then we can hopefully get something done before the Cardiff game.
“We know the squad is short on numbers and we want to bring in players, but they have to be the right players for us. We couldn’t reach an agreement with a couple on Tuesday and so the business couldn’t be done in time.”
Although Hughton has mentioned the existence of a small transfer kitty, that money will be used to pay loan fees as most clubs demand some sort of payment to take players on a temporary basis.
This belated recruitment programme – along with the refusal to allow any more players to leave this week – is just part of a gradual shift from owner Mike Ashley, who is privately beginning to plan for the possibility the club will not be sold and he stays in charge.
Although the United hierarchy – who remain confident the team will be
promoted this season despite the lack of numbers available – are still talking to prospective new owner Barry Moat and other interested private groups, it is looking increasingly unlikely the club will be sold in the short term.
Indeed, while merchant bank Seymour Pierce are still looking for a buyer, Ashley and managing director Derek Llambias have also been talking directly to other interested parties who have yet to begin due diligence which, as we have seen already this summer, takes several weeks to complete.
That has forced Ashley to take more of an interest in the squad’s strength rather than just the urgent need to slash the wage bill and costs following relegation.
The Journal has been told there are no plans to appoint a permanent manager at this stage because of the good job done by Hughton and assistant manager Colin Calderwood.
However, that may well change if takeover talks continues to stall with Joe Kinnear expected to be given the green light to return to work by doctors next month.
The prospect of Kinnear’s return will not sit well with many fans given the mocking comments he made over the summer about their adulation for Kevin Keegan and Alan Shearer.
Unlike Hughton, Kinnear has also publicly defended Ashley and insisted that it is only Newcastle supporters – and not others in the game – who feel the sports shop billionaire should sell up.
Indeed, many United fans would be probably be happier if Hughton was kept in charge, even though the former Tottenham player won just one out of the nine games he was left in charge last term.
Meanwhile, Cathcart is determined to put his transfer deadline day blues behind him and help Northern Ireland Under-21s off to a flying start in their European Championship qualifying campaign.
Cathcart was due to train yesterday on the eve of the away match against the Czech Republic after linking up with the squad on Wednesday.
The 20-year-old, who spent last season on loan to Plymouth, was given leave as he was in talks with Newcastle.
His proposed move broke down when he failed a medical, but it is understood a loan deal could still be an option.
Under-21 manager Steve Beaglehole said: “Craig has not trained for the last couple of days and it is important we get him in the right frame of mind.
“He is an experienced player for us as he has played in the Coca-Cola Championship week in, week out.
“He is fit to play as far I am concerned and I know he just wants a good blow-out.”
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