Source: Northern_Echo
Hughton rules out major January overhaul
NEWCASTLE boss Chris Hughton will not risk upsetting the balance of his tight-knit squad by making wholesale changes in January.[LNB] The Magpies are currently finalising their list of targets for the winter transfer window, with Sheffield United understood to have agreed a deal in principle for Matt Kilgallon and further speculation linking Newcastle with free agent Sol Campbell and Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley, currently on loan at Saturday's opponents Watford.[LNB] However, while Hughton is keeping his cards close to his chest, he insists he will invest what limited cash he has to spend wisely, and that he will not opt for radical change with his side sitting two points clear at the top of the Championship.[LNB] He said: "We are aware of the players who come into that. Whether we will get those targets or not, I don't know. That's something we will work towards over this next month.[LNB] "The one thing you never know is what other targets will become available because we are in a period of time when there are players who you never, ever thought would be available who you find now are.[LNB] "But I don't see us adding too much to the squad. What I have also got to be mindful of is not to disrupt too much what we have here. It's been quite a tight group that we have had here.[LNB] "What we have done so far is bring in the right type of person, and that's what we have got to make sure of again."[LNB] Asked specifically about Campbell, who is available after settling his dispute with Notts County, Hughton added: "Sol would be one of a number of players we will be assessing over the next month.[LNB] "We have got to make sure that come the end of January, we have got the right squad, we have brought in the right players - and of course, it is not only us that know about Sol's situation.[LNB] "He would be one of just a number of players we would be interested in."[LNB] Newcastle currently have defenders Danny Simpson and Zurab Khizanishvili on loan from Manchester United and Blackburn respectively, as well as striker Marlon Harewood on loan from Aston Villa, and the former in particular has made a major impact.[LNB] His current loan spell is drawing to a close and there is a strong interest in retaining his services at St James' Park.[LNB] Hughton said: "He is one we obviously need to assess over this month. He is a lad who had done very well, we have been absolutely delighted with him."[LNB] After seeing the squad decimated by departures during the summer in the wake of relegation from the Premier League, Hughton has seen several of his key players linked with moves away from Tyneside next month.[LNB] However, amid reported interest from Sunderland in full-back Jose Enrique, Birmingham in midfield duo Alan Smith and Kevin Nolan and Bolton among others in young striker Andy Carroll, Hughton has no intention of selling.[LNB] He said: "I have no interest in anybody leaving this football club."[LNB] ** READ MORE NEWCASTLE NEWS IN TOMORROW'S NORTHERN ECHO **[LNB]
