Chris Hughton relishing Newcastle challenge

20 August 2009 10:02
Hughton made the admission after Shola Ameobi's fourth goal in two games sent Newcastle into third place in the Championship table as Ashley's hopes of selling the club to local businessman Barry Moat were hanging in the balance. "If the club is sold at any stage I might get a knock on the door and told that things will change but I have very much enjoyed the challenge so far and I am very happy to continue it until told otherwise," said Hughton, who has been identified by Ameobi as the ideal candidate for the job if Ashley fails to sell. "It's always very nice when you are hearing comments like Shola's. The most important thing for me is that I have to focus on the job I am doing. If that takes me through a lot longer period than I anticipated then I would be very, very happy to do that. "We have started the season well and we have also been able to restrict the injuries we have had. We have had a smashing group of lads that have remained here and are very much fighting for the cause. Plenty of players have left but anything this has all brought them closer as a group of lads." Hughton spoke out after the much-maligned Ameobi took his tally to four goals inside a week with an unerring finish in the 15th minute. Ameobi, invigorated by a hat-trick in a 3-0 hammering of Reading, displayed an impressive finishing touch after Steve Harper's long clearance was nodded on by Andy Carroll, taking the ball on his chest and shrugging off centre-half Richard Wood before sliding the ball in from close range. Ashley stayed away from Tyneside yesterday but fans nevertheless chanted Alan Shearer's name before a nerve-jangling finale that saw Harper deny substitute Francis Jeffers to preserve Newcastle's lead. Wednesday manager Brian Laws added: "I'm very disappointed not to be going away with something, particularly with the second half but we were rabbits caught in headlights in the first 15 minutes and Newcastle took the lead. Once we got out of that mode we stepped things up, started passing the ball and really looked dangerous."

Source: Telegraph