Newcastle play down Sol Campbell move

18 August 2009 10:54
Hughton spoke out as speculation mounted that the former Tottenham and Arsenal defender was on the brink of a move to move to Newcastle after telling fans he would "love" to join the Tyneside club. "Nothing is imminent with players coming in we've not got anything lined up at this moment," said Hughton who served Tottenham as a player and then as a coach when Campbell was on the White Hart Lane payroll. Newcastle sign Simpson "It's inevitable that a lot of names are mentioned because of the situation that the club is in. And of course I know Sol from my past connections and he is a good player but we haven't made a move for any individual at this point. "What we were able to do last week was bring in Danny Simpson, which was good timing for us because that was an area vacated by Habib Beye. We addressed that one because we had sold Habib and we needed a replacement. "At centre-half we are fortunate because Fabricio (Coloccini) and Steven (Taylor) have been fit and they have been playing very well for us." Hughton insisted Taylor remained at the centre of his plans despite interest in his services from Everton. "He is very much still Newcastle's player and he is desperate to get on with things and do well for the team," Hughton said. "As far as I know, he is still at the club at the moment. Whether anything has happened that I don't know about is a different matter but I'm pretty sure he'll be playing on Wednesday. "Him asking to leave or leaving is not something that I'm aware of. I haven't been told by anyone that there has been a bid and I'm sure that I would be informed by someone if anything like that had happened. "Obviously, he's a good player and Steven has been playing well. He is obviously someone who is very important to the team." Hughton aid he was sad to say farewell to Damien Duff who will be unveiled as a Fulham player today. "I'm sad to see him go. As an individual, he's a smashing lad and he always gives his all. He's a very polite lad, a very hard working lad," he said. Now Hughton is focusing on Newcastle's home game with Sheffield Wednesday night as owner Mike Ashley and local businessman Barry Moat discuss a takeover. "We are approaching the stage where some decisions have to be made and that could change the situation," Hughton said. "I've not been told anything new at this stage but we are getting there. I'm working very much on a day-to-day basis at the moment and will continue to run things until I'm told otherwise. "We will obviously have to take a look at things if we get injuries and it's inevitable that there is a certain amount of planning for that." Hughton confirmed Joey Barton will be available for selection despite suffering a foot injury in last Saturday's win over Reading. "Joey will return to training today and we hope that he will be involved on Wednesday," he said. "It was one that he felt was worse than it actually turned out to be. I think he was concerned with having the foot injury last season but within half an hour it started to feel better and that has been confirmed by the medical staff. "It's good news for us because we want to steer clear of injuries and try to keep the team as settled as possible after Saturday's win. "There has been a spring in everybody's step since the win and now it is a case of keeping that going into Wednesday's game."

Source: Telegraph