Source: Northern_Echo
Hughton backs new boy to thrill fans
CHRIS HUGHTON has hailed swashbuckling winger Fabrice Pancrate as the type of player who can thrill the Newcastle United faithful.[LNB] The Frenchman is not expected to be in contention at Preston North End this evening as he is awaiting a work permit following the completion of his move to St James' Park.[LNB] The former Paris Saint Germain forward agreed a contract with the Magpies until the end of the season with an option for a two and half year deal. He offers Hughton an option on the right flank, while also having experience of playing just behind the strikers.[LNB] As Hughton builds a squad capable of surviving the rigours of their promotion bid, the manager feels the capture of Pancrate adds some attacking flair to his industrious side.[LNB] I hope he can excite the fans, he certainly possesses that kind of quality, revealed Hughton whose side need to secure a fourth successive victory to regain the Championship's top spot from leaders West Brom.[LNB] He gives us an option high up on the right hand side he's a really attacking player and it gives us an option similar to what we have on the left with Jonas Gutierrez. He has pedigree and he looks to get into goal-scoring positions.[LNB] He is an experienced boy. I don't think he will be fazed coming to play in the Championship and I don't think that it will take him long to settle into the English game.[LNB] Hughton was determined he wouldn't be rushed into signing the 29-year-old but after assessing his qualities in training sessions and a 70 minute run out against Hartlepool reserves last week, the manager was convinced Pancrate is equipped to make an impact on Tyneside.[LNB] You don't get many opportunities to take a look at a player like him at this point of the season and I was impressed with him from the start,'' he admitted.[LNB] He doesn't have match sharpness yet and he is not fully 100 per cent fit yet but it won't take him long to get up to that point. We won't be waiting long for him to be ready to play a big part for us.[LNB] Gutierrez has recovered from a thigh injury but Zurab Khizanishvili is serving the final game of his three-match suspension. Danny Simpson's versatility again offers the manager cover in his defensive ranks.[LNB] Simpson hopes to follow Pancrate by securing a permanent deal of his own but the Manchester United defender does think that Hughton needs to undertake a major recruitment drive in January.[LNB] Whether Chris feels any different, I don't know,'' he said. We're a tight group and that's working well. But we've been lucky with injuries we've had one or two here or there but not many and we're coping well.[LNB] Maybe after the Christmas period, people will get injured and tired as the season goes on and we'll need a couple of extra players but we're doing OK, noted Simpson who revealed his humble upbringing ensures he never takes his privileged lifestyle for granted.[LNB] I was born in Eccles, near Salford. I didn't grow up in a nice area but as have got older I've got away from that. Every place has a bad area and that was no different. It makes you the person that you are. Coming from nothing makes you appreciate it a bit more when you do become a professional footballer. From nothing to playing in front of 45,000 it's a big thing.[LNB] Midfielder Michael Tonge could make his Preston debut after joining on loan from Stoke City as Alan Irvine's side look to win for the first time in four games.[LNB] Newcastle: Harper, Simpson, S Taylor, Coloccini, Enrique, Guthrie, Gutierrez, Smith, Nolan, Harewood, Carroll. Subs: Krul (gk), Butt, Kadar, Geremi, R Taylor, Lovenkrands, Ranger.[LNB]
