Source: Team_Talk
Hughton not affected by Yeung
irmingham manager Chris Hughton has described the money-laundering charges facing major shareholder Carson Yeung as a "side issue" for him.[LNB] Hughton is focusing on assembling a squad capable of challenging for a quickfire return to the Premier League.[LNB]Hughton is realistic about the possibility that some of the club's bigger names could leave the club in search of top-flight football this summer, with the likes of Scott Dann, Roger Johnson and Ben Foster being linked with moves away from St Andrew's.[LNB]Balancing any player departures with bringing in new faces of adequate quality is the top priority for Hughton, notwithstanding the news that Yeung stands accused of five counts of money-laundering totalling £59million.[LNB]Hughton said: "I'm very conscious of where we are at the moment and I look at that group of players and it would be a wonderful group to keep in this division for what will be a very tough season.[LNB]"No one can foresee what will happen, which players will come and go.[LNB]"But I'm realistic as to where the club is at this particular moment. There isn't anything I've come into that I wasn't aware of.[LNB]"We will have to wait and see what happens over this pre-season period.[LNB]"But we know that we want a squad come the start of this season that will be good enough to compete in this division."[LNB]On the subject of Yeung and what effect it might have on the club if he is found guilty on any or all of the charges, Hughton said: "They are very much side issues.[LNB]"With the amount of work we need to do on this side, the most important is we make sure we've got a good enough squad, that the players train well, that there is great communication between myself and the board.[LNB]"They are the most important things. Of course, it's news (Yeung's situation), and we are aware what the news is, but it has to be very much a side issue.[LNB]"Any business this club needs to do will, of course, be done and that's just the normal transactions that happen in a pre-season period and it certainly won't bother me."[LNB]Hughton is still hoping to prise Hibernian manager Colin Calderwood away from Easter Road to become his number two at Blues.[LNB]He said: "There has been speculation about Colin. We have had some dialogue with Hibs.[LNB]"Most people know my feelings on Colin. I brought him to Newcastle and he is someone I've known and worked with for a long time.[LNB]"We will see where that takes us but I am conscious of Colin's position - and he is their manager.[LNB]"But we have had some dialogue with Hibs. We will have to see where that takes us."
