Source: SKY_Sports
Magpies progress pleases Hughton
Newcastle caretaker coach Chris Hughton feels his side are capable of mounting a promotion push.
The Magpies have made a bright start to the 2009/10 campaign, going unbeaten through their first four fixtures.
A 2-0 victory at Crystal Palace on Saturday took them to 10 points for the season, enough to draw them level with Middlesbrough at the top of the table.
The signs look promising for a club looking to shake off the distraction of an ongoing takeover saga and recover from a mass exodus of top talent.
Hughton agrees, but feels Newcastle will need further new additions if they are to remain among the Championship frontrunners.
"We are not far off. We have quality here," he said.
"The decision the club have to make is whether it is enough to compete if we pick up a few injuries - there will be a time when we are stretched."
Hughton is now hoping the turmoil off the field at St James' Park will be resolved in the near future, while he also maintains that he is not actively looking to land the Newcastle job on a permanent basis.
"I'm hoping we don't lose any more players but that is something that will only be determined over the next week," he added.
"At this moment we are waiting for a decision to be made on whether the club is sold, or what will happen if the club is not sold.
"I'm very happy to be in this position and very happy to do this job for as long as I am asked to.
"It's not about me putting down a marker for the job, it's about winning games for this club and the players have responded."
Kevin Nolan and Ryan Taylor got the goals to see off Palace on Saturday, with both men opening their account for the club.
Eagles boss Neil Warnock was forced to accept afterwards that his side were made to pay the price for uncharacteristic errors, but felt the hosts were denied a certain penalty early in the second half when Alan Smith felled Alassane N'Diaye on the box.
"Smithy was all over Alassane and anywhere else on the pitch that's a foul, but that ref (Andy D'Urso) has never given me much over the years," said Warnock.
"We never really gave ourselves a chance. The goals were a disgrace at this level but you get punished by good players."
