Hughton - Players up for it

Caretaker Newcastle boss Chris Hughton says the players are putting the club's fight for survival ahead of their own futures. The Magpies are currently hovering above the drop-zone only on goal difference with nine games to play. Several high-profile names have already been linked with a move away from the club - including skipper Michael Owen, who is out of contract in the summer - and the financial implications of relegation could spark a mass exodus of the playing staff. But Hughton says the players are putting the club's relegation fight before everything else. He said: "The most important thing is they are fighting for the club's survival. "The fear of this club not being in this division next season supersedes absolutely everything. "I don't think at this moment players are thinking anywhere near about their futures. "What they are thinking about is making sure we win enough games, get enough points, to stay in this division. "Any thoughts of the future come at the end of the season." Newcastle face the tough task of playing Arsenal and Chelsea at St James' Park in their next two games. Hughton is hoping his side can pick up points - as well as entertaining the fans. He said: "From our point of view, there are two things: one is the result, and the other is the performance, and you can gain something from both. "I can always say the most important thing for us is the result, which it is, but very quickly after that, we have got to make sure we get a performance because it is about having a run of games and building confidence." He added: "When you are playing the top four, it's always going to be tough because they are all great sides. "But it's down to us now. We know what we have got to do. We will be positive."

Source: SKY_Sports