Hughton: Newcastle ready to put things right

Newcastle caretaker boss Chris Hughton insists his side are ready to rise to the formidable challenge of shutting off-field problems out of their minds and winning promotion straight back to the Barclays Premier League.

Hughton leads the Magpies into their first game outside the top flight for 16 years on Saturday at West Bromwich Albion and is convinced he has a squad of players who are fully committed to the cause.

Despite continued uncertainty over the club’s future ownership and rumours about the identity of the next full-time appointment to the St James’ Park dugout, Hughton has been more than happy with pre-season.

Hughton told www.nufc.co.uk: “We have to look at it as a fresh start. In the changing room there is a commitment, an endeavour to want to put things right. We know the best opportunity to bounce back is the first opportunity.

“Our preparations for this first, very tough game, have gone well. The games have gone well and the training has gone very well and we just hope it shows on Saturday. We know it’s a challenge but we welcome that challenge.”

However Hughton has a midfield headache for the opening encounter at The Hawthorns with both Danny Guthrie (hamstring) and Nicky Butt (hand) forced to sit out the season’s opener.