Source: Telegraph
Nicky Butt's Manchester United days are lifting Newcastle, says Chris Hughton
Butt, 35 next month, came through the ranks at Old Trafford alongside the likes of Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, the Neville brothers and David Beckham and the fact they are all going strong is down to the education they enjoyed under the auspices of manager Sir Alex Ferguson. [LNB]"You only have to watch Nicky train to know to see why he is still going strong at his age," Hughton said. [LNB] Related ArticlesNewcastle probe Carroll arrestAndy Carroll questioned over 'assault'Alan Smith revels in Newcastle resolveNewcastle United 2 Watford 0Sol Campbell wanted by Newcastle UnitedRoeder: Newcastle need to invest in new players"For someone of his age, whether he is at fit as he was at 24, I don't know, but he can't be that far off. He is a very tough individual. He is a player who generally trains the same way every day, with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. [LNB]"Whether it is a Man United thing, I think that's part of it. I think he was with a group, a real tough group of players, Gary and Phil [LNB]Nevilles, Giggs, Beckham, Scholes players still going and I think his background has enabled us to see what he is every day in training." [LNB]Butt is expected to be recalled to Hughton's first team as a replacement for the suspended Kevin Nolan at relegation-threatened [LNB]Coventry tonight when the Championship pacesetters could extend their lead in the promotion race to seven points over nearest rivals West Bromwich Albion. [LNB]Hughton has not been able to guarantee Butt a starting slot this season but the combative midfielder appears to have reacted in exemplary fashion [LNB]"He has been very good about it," Hughton said. "Part of it is that he has had a couple of little spells with injuries so he has not been available right the way through that period. [LNB]"But what he sees is a team that has done well, he sees players like Alan Smith and Kevin Nolan predominantly who have played in central midfield and have not really missed any games through injury. [LNB]"They are players who have generally been fit and I think he just appreciates we have started well and he has just got to be part of it." [LNB]Hughton is convinced Butt will eventually follow him into management. "I think that if he wants to, he could be a manager, Hughton added. "He has all the attributes. But he has got to have the desire to want to do that. He is certainly very knowledgeable about the game. [LNB]"He earns respect in that changing room for not only what he has done in the past but how he is now and how he conducts himself. Never late for training, always trains very well so he is the model professional." [LNB]
