Source: Northern_Echo
Hughtons’ head start on Premier planning
CHRIS Hughton has claimed Newcastle's early promotion to the Premier League will give them a head start as they begin to plan for next season.[LNB] The Magpies manager will meet owner Mike Ashley and managing director Derek Llambias within the next two weeks to discuss the club's summer spending plans following Monday night's confirmation of their return to the top-flight.[LNB] Hughton's immediate focus is on securing the seven points that are required to guarantee the Championship title, and with play-off hopefuls Blackpool due to visit St James' Park tomorrow, the Newcastle boss insists nothing will be allowed to get in the way of his side's pursuit of silverware.[LNB] But whereas last summer's restructuring did not really take place until the pre-season programme had begun in mid-July, an early start to this year's transfer dealings means they will not be left until the final minute.[LNB] The fact that we now know which division we're going to be in gives us a head start,[LNB] said Hughton, who has no new injury problems to contend with as he ponders his selection for tomorrow's visit of the Seasiders. It gives us a chance to avoid the uncertainty that we had last summer.[LNB] As per normal, you're always trying to make plans. We have a scouting network that's continued to look at players all season and I'm getting recommendations all the time.[LNB] They are the normal things that happen during a season, and it's not as though getting promoted on Monday means that by Tuesday you're having to bring everything together.[LNB] It doesn't work that way.[LNB] But what will happen over a period of time is that I will sit down with Mike, and perhaps more so with Derek, and plan for the forthcoming season.[LNB] Hughton is still to learn how much money he will be given for new signings, although sources close to the St James' Park boardroom insist there will be no repeat of the profligate spending that characterised the final years of Newcastle's previous spell in the top-flight.[LNB] Ashley will continue to pursue a policy of signing younger players preferably 26 or under who will retain a significant sell-on value when their contract begins to near its conclusion.[LNB] Hughton has already been credited with an interest in Tottenham full-back Alan Hutton a link he denies despite Harry Redknapp's suggestion of contact between the two clubs and with finances tight at a majority of Premier League sides, the United boss expects to be offered a large number of players this summer.[LNB] The agents have started already,[LNB] he said. That is their job. The first possible chance they will see to push players on you and make you aware their players are available is when you get promotion. So yes, the agents have been on already and I'd expect it to continue for some time now.[LNB] As well as pursuing new signings, Hughton's other summer priority will be retaining the players currently at St James'.[LNB] The likes of Jose Enrique, Jonas Gutierrez and Kevin Nolan have all seen their stock rise this season, but their manager does not expect to have to fight to keep them on Tyneside.[LNB] I think we are in a strong position on that score, said Hughton. The players want to be here. We've had a group of lads who have wanted to be at this club all season.[LNB] I saw something from Gutierrez in one of the papers this week where he was asked whether it might have been better for him to be somewhere else with the World Cup coming up, but he made a conscious decision to stay here.[LNB] The fact we've now enabled players like that to get back to where they want to be (the Premier League) means I especially wouldn't anticipate anyone wanting to leave this summer.[LNB] One player who might be heading for the exit door though is Nicky Butt, with the veteran's current contract due to expire in June.[LNB] Hughton is yet to reveal his plans for Butt's future, but it looks increasingly unlikely that the former England international will be offered a new deal.[LNB] We haven't spoken with Nicky, but it's something we'll be dealing with, said Hughton.[LNB] He's been a real big player for us, irrespective of how many games he has played, in and around the changing room, whether starting or on the bench. I'm sure he would have preferred a bigger part, but he has been magnificent all season.[LNB] Newcastle officials have confirmed there will be no open-topped bus parade around the city to celebrate the club's promotion to the Premier League.[LNB] The decision, which will not be reversed even if the Magpies win the Championship title, mirrors Sunderland's decision not to hold a parade to celebrate their return to the top-flight in 2007.[LNB]
