Source: Northern_Echo
Tyneside contract talks not on Hughton’s agenda
CHRIS HUGHTON does not want to even consider what impact promotion will have on his own position as Newcastle United manager until he has ensured Premier League football is back on Tyneside.[LNB] With Newcastle sitting five points clear at the top of the Championship and six ahead of the play-offs, Hughton is on track to take the club back to the top-flight in his first season in charge.[LNB] It would be an achievement that looked highly unlikely after the turmoil of last summer, when owner Mike Ashley knocked £30m off the wage bill and failed in his attempts to sell up.[LNB] Even now the club's finances remain in a mess, with claims from inside St James' Park yesterday that the Championship leaders are still losing £500,000 a week.[LNB] Promotion should guarantee Hughton stays in charge next season something even Alan Shearer, many fans' choice to take on the role again in the future, has backed in the last week.[LNB] With another 12 months remaining on his contract after this season, Hughton insists he is not even prepared to think about being handed improved terms or what the summer will hold until his primary objective has been achieved.[LNB] At this particular moment contract issues are not an issue, said Hughton. The only focus I have at the moment is getting promotion.[LNB] It's very difficult for some people not to think about next season, it's perhaps easier for me because I've got a team to work with week in, week out.[LNB] We've got this gap at the top but it changes on a weekly basis and with the amount of games we've got coming up in the last two months of the season, two defeats in a week and two wins for someone else changes things dramatically.[LNB] What you can't afford to do is to look too far ahead.[LNB] Hughton simply smiled in the aftermath of last Saturday's victory over Preston North End, when he was afforded a rare show of affection from the Newcastle supporters towards him to acknowledge the job he has done.[LNB] At this stage 12 months ago stepping into front-line management was not even in his thinking. Now, however, he is revelling the role ahead of tomorrow's trip to Watford.[LNB] Have I enjoyed being the manager Yes, I've enjoyed it to whatever extent you can,[LNB] he said.[LNB] There's the pressure and stresses and ups and downs that go with the job. I've enjoyed the challenge. I'm fortunate we have a challenge and something we can go for. It's tough.[LNB] Early in the season it was week by week because I didn't have the job initially.[LNB] Probably the most pleasing part is the challenge. It's been a real challenge this season and the emotions that go with winning and losing.[LNB] Hughton has confirmed talks have taken place with Chelsea about extending the loan agreement in place for full-back Patrick van Aanholt.[LNB] With Jose Enrique fit again, Hughton can afford to lose van Aanholt when his one-month deal expires after tomorrow's match at Vicarage Road.[LNB] But the Newcastle boss admits the 19-year-old could stay on for a further two weeks.[LNB] At this moment in time it's his last game against Watford and he will go back but we're assessing whether we're able to keep him for just a touch longer, he said.[LNB] That's what we're deciding on at the moment. He's enjoyed it.[LNB] Providing he goes back, which we're very much expecting, then we'll be OK.''[LNB]
