Hughton ready for financial constraints

NEWCASTLE manager Chris Hughton understands he will not have a lavish transfer budget to spend as he looks to strengthen his squad over the summer.

The Magpies have secured an immediate return to the Premier League following an outstanding season in the Championship and are on the brink of securing the title.

If West Brom fail to beat Middlesbrough at the Hawthorns today then the silverware will be heading to St James’ Park even before they travel to Plymouth on Monday evening.

Hughton has already entered into talks with owner Mike Ashley and chairman Derek Llambias and it is believed he will have £15m (€17m) to bring in new players ahead of their top-flight return.

That sum is below the club-record fee of £16m (€18.2m) they blew on a single player in signing Michael Owen from Real Madrid, and the Toon boss accepts the changing global economy has had an impact throughout the game. Hughton said: “These talks are ongoing with the chairman and the owner. But we know these are different times.

“I certainly feel the days of big transfers and big transfer kitties — not only for us — are a thing of the past.

“We have to spend and look to improve, but we have to spend it wisely.”

The former Republic of Ireland full-back has been delighted with the displays of his squad this season and has called on his players to continue their fine form to go into the new season at the highest level with maximum momentum.

He added: “We have a realty competitive squad who have generated a good momentum this season and they have developed as a group of players.

“They deserve an opportunity. It is all about competition for places and keeping the momentum going.

“We know it is going to be tough next season but we want to start it the way we have played this term — so it is important we don’t lose focus now in our remaining games.”

Meanwhile, MK Dons manager Paul Ince has announced that he will leave the club for a second time at the end of the season.

The 42-year-old rejoined the Coca-Cola League One side last summer and was expected to mount a promotion challenge but a run of poor form has seen the Dons lose touch with the play-off places.

Going into today’s clash with relegation-threatened Wycombe, the Dons are 12 points behind sixth-placed Huddersfield with four games remaining.

Reports yesterday suggested that the former England captain Ince was set to be sacked as part of a cost-cutting campaign but he has now decided to resign. However he will stay on for the last four games of the season before leaving next month.

Ince said: “Having discussed with the chairman the plans for next season, I don’t feel it will be possible to take the team forward as I would have liked due to the budget cutbacks that he is going to have to make throughout the club. I will take some great memories from both my spells here and would like to thank those associated with the club for the support I have received.”