Source: Northern_Echo
Frustrated Hughton remains optimistic
CHRIS HUGHTON is confident that Newcastle United can still make the necessary adjustments after a period of frustration on the transfer front.[LNB] Time is running out for Hughton to strengthen his squad before Aston Villa travel to James' Park on Sunday for Newcastle's first home match of the season.[LNB] And with less than a fortnight remaining before the transfer window closes at the end of the month, the Newcastle boss could do with hearing some brighter news sooner rather than later.[LNB] We're still working at it,[LNB] said Hughton. It's difficult at the moment and I must admit that it's frustrating at the moment but that is the nature of the transfer window. I'm still hopeful that we're going to be able to make those additions.[LNB] At this stage last week Newcastle were hopeful of pulling off a deal with Marseille for unsettled French international Hatem Ben Arfa.[LNB] Ben Arfa flew to Tyneside last Friday to outline his desire to move to the Premier League, despite Marseille's reluctance to allow him to leave on loan.[LNB] However, despite sources in France claiming Newcastle had brokered a loan fee of £800,000 with a view to a £5.5m permanent arrangement next summer, Ben Arfa is on the verge of heading to Germany instead.[LNB] Werder Bremen, armed with £20m from the sale of Mesut Ozil, have agreed to pay £6.5m up front for Ben Arfa, meaning Newcastle are braced to miss out on a player who was intent on heading to the North-East.[LNB] And Marseille president Jean-Claude Dassier said: If Ben Arfa and his advisers are OK, it does not bother us at all. We believe the German championship would suit him better than playing in England.[LNB] Hughton was also strongly linked with Manchester City winger Vladimir Weiss again yesterday, but they face stiff competition from north of the border.[LNB] Scottish Premier League champions Rangers also want Weiss and contact has been made between the two clubs in the last couple of days.[LNB] Newcastle have also checked on Ivory Coast's World Cup midfielder Cheick Tiote, although club sources deny that Hughton is planning to make a bid.[LNB] Tiote has been targeted by a number of Premier League clubs during the last few months after helping FC Twente to the Dutch title last season.[LNB] West Brom are believed to have had an offer worth £3m rejected by Twente, with West Ham, Fulham, Everton and Birmingham all deemed to be considering a move.[LNB] With just 12 days remaining of the transfer window, Newcastle are desperate to step up their efforts to make further additions to a squad that has only seen Sol Campbell, Dan Gosling and James Perch arrive so far.[LNB] Campbell has not played a match since signing for the Magpies and he will not be fit enough to figure against Aston Villa on Sunday.[LNB] Sunday is too early for Sol but he's getting much closer now, said Hughton. Could we put him out on Sunday[LNB] Well possibly but we'd prefer not to because we're looking at it from the long-term. It is not just a question of one or two games, it's about getting him back properly to play for the rest of the season.[LNB] If we rushed him back then he is susceptible to picking up knocks and that is not what we want to happen. Sol knows he is physically behind the others but he is making good progress and I'm happy with him.[LNB] Hughton is, however, hopeful Danny Guthrie (knee) and Peter Lovenkrands (groin) will be available again after sitting out the trip to Manchester United on Monday.[LNB] We're expecting both Danny and Peter to be available which will improve our options, he said. The reason they travelled with us to Manchester was because the injuries were both very minor.[LNB] I was hopeful they would be back but we kept them back so as not to risk them because we have a long season in front of us. They will both train on Thursday with a view to being part of the squad for the Aston Villa game.[LNB]
