Source: Northern_Echo
Sale over as injury bug bites
THE transfer window is not scheduled to close until 5pm on Tuesday, but Chris Hughton last night insisted that Newcastles firesale is over.
With Shola Ameobi and Jonas Gutierrez likely to be sidelined for up to a month because of injury, Hughton has assured fans that the clubs threadbare squad will not be reduced further in an attempt to trim the wage bill in the next three days.
The Magpies have pocketed around £24m from the sale of Obafemi Martins, Sebastien Bassong, Habib Beye and Damien Duff this summer, with five more players, including the highly-paid Michael Owen and Mark Viduka, having left at the end of last season when their contract expired.
However, the clubs wage bill is still estimated to be around £40m, a figure that would make the club the sixth biggest payers in the Premier League, let alone the Championship.
The final three days of the month represent Mike Ashleys final opportunity to make further savings, and with Bolton keen to re-sign Kevin Nolan and a number of Spanish clubs having expressed an interest in Gutierrez and Fabricio Coloccini, the wantaway owner could have some decisions to make before the transfer window closes. Hughton will not be consulted either way, but having discussed Newcastles position with managing director Derek Llambias this week, the interim manager is confident there will be no more departures from St James Park.
It would be wrong of me to say it would be an impossibility that anybody could leave, but I would be very confident very confident of keeping what we have at this club, said Hughton, who is likely to remain in his current position if, as is expected, Ashley takes the Magpies off the market at the start of next week.
Im very confident that will be the case. I certainly dont think there have been the offers that have been put around, thats for sure.
Indeed, rather than bracing himself for further exits, Hughton is hoping to be welcoming some new arrivals before the transfer window closes next week.
The lack of depth in Newcastles squad was exposed during Wednesdays Carling Cup victory over Huddersfield, and a lack of alternatives means the likes of Tamas Kadar, Kazenga Lua Lua and Nile Ranger will be involved again when Leicester visit Gallowgate on Monday night.
Hughton accepts the current squad is too small, but maintains that reinforcements are on the horizon, with the out-of-contract Peter Lovenkrands likely to renew acquaintances with the Magpies shortly.
I think my concerns are being heard, he said. The club are aware of the position were in regarding injuries and the squad.
We wouldnt be doing our jobs if we hadnt planned for players that are available, no matter the difficulties surrounding the club.
We know weve lost players and, for me, the most important thing is probably that we dont lose any more because we have the nucleus of a good squad here.
But its also important that we add to what weve got.
If we do that, itll give us a fighting chance.
The need for new signings was enhanced on Wednesday, when both Ameobi and Gutierrez were injured as Newcastle progressed to the third round of the Carling Cup.
Ameobi has injured his foot, and the Magpies medical staff were viewing scan results yesterday to ascertain whether the striker has suffered a stress fracture that will keep him out for a month.
Gutierrez could be sidelined for a similar period after injuring his hamstring, and the duo, who are definitely out of Mondays game, will be badly missed after making major contributions to Newcastles successful start.
This is exactly what weve been talking about, said Hughton. Most times when Ive spoken (this summer), Ive said weve been fortunate with injuries and never had more than two players injured at the same time.
But were at the stage now where weve got more players on the treatment table and its very much going to stretch this squad.
Its not confirmed yet that theyre (Ameobi and Gutierrez) out for a month.
Where we are at the moment is that theyre both injured and were waiting to assess them, as is normal.
Sometimes youre able to know immediately the severity of an injury, but on most occasions you have to get the first few days out of the way and then assess it when things have settled down.
We know Shola has a problem with his foot, but wont know the extent of it until later.
Jonas has a hamstring injury and were assessing that as well.
Having completed a spell on loan at Bristol Rovers, goalkeeper Fraser Forster has now signed a one-month loan deal with Norwich City.
