Source: SKY_Sports
Hughton hopes to ease pressure
Chris Hughton is eager to ensure that Joe Kinnear returns to work with Newcastle away from the relegation zone.[LNB] Kinnear confirmed earlier on Friday that he plans to be back in the St James' Park dugout when Tottenham travel to the North East on 18th April.[LNB]While the former Wimbledon and Nottingham Forest boss has been recuperating at home following major heart surgery, the Magpies have slipped further into the mire.[LNB]They are currently only out of the relegation places on goal difference and face a stern test on Saturday with UEFA Champions League chasing Arsenal the visitors to Tyneside.[LNB]Hughton will remain in charge for the following home game against Chelsea and then a relegation six-pointer at Stoke before handing the reins back to Kinnear, provided his recovery continues as planned.[LNB]GapDespite the tricky run of fixtures, Hughton does not want the pressure to be firmly on his convalescing manager's shoulders when he returns.[LNB]Hughton said: "It's vitally important.[LNB]"Irrespective of whether Joe is here or not, we are looking at each of these nine games and the quicker we can get some points and alleviate a bit of that pressure and also create a little bit of a gap, the better.[LNB]"If I am able to hand over to Joe in a good position, that is vitally important."[LNB]Although Kinnear will not be there to guide his team into one of their toughest fixtures of the season against Gunners, he will make a growing contribution over the coming weeks.[LNB]InputHughton said: "I speak to Joe regularly. The difficult thing for Joe is he is not here.[LNB]"There is a difference watching the games live and watching the games on video.[LNB]"Joe is very much aware of what his input can be, but certainly we expect that to be a lot more over the next few weeks.[LNB]"But the most important thing is that he is making a good recovery."[LNB]