Source: Northern_Echo
Marseille attack Magpies
NEWCASTLE UNITED'S pursuit of Hatem Ben Arfa took an unsavoury twist last night when Marseille rounded on their Premier League counterparts and accused them of unsettling the player.[LNB] It has been claimed in France that Ben Arfa refused to train with Marseille yesterday afternoon after returning from international duty with France, having scored in the 2-1 defeat to Norway on Wednesday night.[LNB] The 23-year-old is believed to have taken the decision after learning his wish to complete a season-long loan deal to St James' Park has been blocked.[LNB] Marseille president Jean Claude Dassier is furious and refused to back down unless Newcastle agree to meet their £6m asking price for a permanent transfer.[LNB] But Dassier is not even convinced the offer from the Magpies is serious, suggesting Hughton might not actually want to add the attacking midfielder to his ranks.[LNB] Hatem is part of the workforce and will remain so.[LNB] There is no serious offers from Newcastle at the moment,[LNB] said Dassier.[LNB] I do not think the Newcastle coach is in step with its leaders if you believe his statements.[LNB] Dassier took the step to go public after Ben Arfa's refusal to train, just 24 hours after Hughton had once again played down the link with the player.[LNB] There isn't anything, there's been no direct contact,[LNB] he said.[LNB] Despite his stance Hughton is desperate to add further strengthen his squad before the end of the month, regardless of whether an agreement is eventually reached for Ben Arfa.[LNB] He wants Newcastle fans to be realistic, but has banished talk of a relegation struggle.[LNB] The Magpies open their campaign at Manchester United on Monday night, when Hughton knows his team have to spring a surprise just to start the season well.[LNB] However, the Newcastle boss insists there has been nothing but optimism from within his group of players since promotion in May.[LNB] A failure to further strengthen a squad that has only added James Perch, Dan Gosling and Sol Campbell since leaving the Championship behind has left many fearing a struggle.[LNB] But Hughton said: The issue hasn't come up in our discussions. We almost don't want to talk negative.[LNB] It's fair to say we want to be playing Premier League football next year. We're not quite sure what the season holds for us. Some might be pleasantly surprised, some might be disappointed we don't know.[LNB] When you hear others saying that the most important thing is we're still in the Premier League' I can understand where they're coming from.[LNB] It is a daunting task to stay in the division and the standards have got higher. We're amongst all of that and to be honest, we just don't know what is ahead. There has been no talk of relegation or avoiding relegation absolutely none.[LNB] The departure of Martin O'Neill from Aston Villa in the last week has also brought about wild speculation that he could be in line to replace Hughton if Newcastle make a poor start.[LNB] But Hughton said: It's something that you expect.[LNB] There is only one important thing and that is trying to do the best that you can.[LNB] If I am able to do a very good job then the talk and speculation and rumours will be dampened, as always.[LNB] That comes with the job, it comes with the territory of being the manager of a big, high-profile club like this.[LNB] Personally, I will ignore it.[LNB] Hughton is actively working on potential new signings before the transfer window closes on August 31, particularly as Gosling is not due to return to action until December.[LNB] And with Campbell still short of fitness, Hughton is still short of the numbers he would like, even at this late stage of the summer.[LNB] It remains unclear when Campbell will make his first appearance in a Newcastle shirt, having missed the entire pre-season friendly programme while he works on building up his fitness.[LNB] It is a work in progress with Sol he is a few weeks behind everyone else, said Hughton, who persuaded Campbell to move to Tyneside despite an offer from Arsenal.[LNB] And Leon Best will miss the start of the season with an ankle injury sustained in training. He could be out for anywhere up to three months.[LNB] Newcastle's Carling Cup second round tie at Accrington Stanley will be televised by Sky and played on Wednesday, August 25.[LNB]
