Source: Northern_Echo
Hughton urges Ashley to halt player exodus
CHRIS Hughton has warned Mike Ashley that he cannot afford to sell any more players if Newcastle United are to mount a credible push for promotion this season.[LNB] Hughton lost the services of both Sebastien Bassong and Habib Beye at the end of last week, with the defensive duo following Obafemi Martins out of the St James Park exit door to make it three highprofile departures in less than a week.[LNB] There are suggestions that the exodus might not end there, with Fabricio Coloccini still being linked with a return to Spain and Andy Carroll the subject of surprise interest from West Ham.[LNB] Hughton feels the current Newcastle squad is already stretched to its limit, and claims signings will be needed if more players are allowed to leave this month.[LNB] Whether we will lose more players, I dont know, said the interim boss, after watching Damien Duff cancel out a Shelton Martis strike to earn an opening-day draw at West Brom.[LNB] But if thats the case, we will have to think about players coming in.[LNB] Whoever takes over, it will be their remit to bring the club back. But to be able to do that, you have to have a squad capable of doing it.[LNB] We have lost three since pre-season. If you asked me whether this squad would be good enough to challenge, Id say Yes.[LNB] But at some stage we are going to pick up injuries and that needs to be addressed.[LNB] Hughton has not been allowed to make a single summer signing since returning to his former position of interim manager at the start of July.[LNB] Alan Shearer gave Ashley a list of seven potential signings at the end of last season, but having reverted to his role as a BBC summariser during Saturdays game, Newcastles all-time record goalscorer admitted it was already too late to make a move for his preferred options.[LNB] Shearer confirmed he was still interested in taking over at St James Park, but admitted the current stasis was damaging the clubs hopes of an instant return to the Premier League.[LNB] I handed over a list of about seven targets on the Tuesday after the end of last season, confirmed Shearer.[LNB] But theyve all moved on elsewhere now.[LNB] Newcastles squad was thin last season, and when you consider the players who have gone out, that tells a story. They need players quickly and it could be a long, hard season if that doesnt happen.[LNB] Im still in limbo. I wanted it sorted either way because of my love for the football club.[LNB] I would dearly love the chance to finish what I started last season.[LNB] If Shearer was to return to Tyneside and that would be all but certain if Barry Moat was to complete a takeover of the club his first move would be to dispense with the services of Joey Barton.[LNB] Barton was dropped to the substitutes bench at the Hawthorns after he was embroiled in a heated exchange with Argentinians Fabricio Coloccini and Jonas Gutierrez on Friday.[LNB] The controversial midfielder, who also clashed with Shearer after he was sent off in last seasons defeat at Liverpool, is understood to have questioned his teammates commitment to the cause before Hughton was forced to intervene to calm the situation.[LNB] Bartons spokesman, Paul Tyrrell, however, denied that he had fallen out with his team-mates There was no disagreement between Joey Barton and any other player prior to the West Brom game, said Tyrrell.[LNB] Joey is firmly focused on getting Newcastle back to where it belongs the Premier League. Barton is likely to be the subject of internal disciplinary action this week, but with a wafer-thin squad to choose from, Hughton admits he will remain available for selection for Saturdays televised home game with Reading.[LNB] Joey was part of a squad that travelled with us, said Hughton, who refused to discuss the details of Fridays incident. As always there are decisions to be made. Mine was to go with two up front for tactical reasons, but Joey came off the bench and played his part.[LNB] Its disappointing for him, but hes part of what were looking to achieve and he was able to play his part eventually.[LNB] Everyone wants to play, but you have to understand why things happen and he understood why I undertook that decision.[LNB]
