Kinnear begins plotting January transfer moves

11:02am Saturday 15th November 2008

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GIVEN the real possibility that Joe Kinnear will be still in charge at St James’ Park into the New Year, Newcastle United’s interim manager pulled out of his pre-match media duties to go on a scouting mission last night.

Kinnear and his assistant Chris Hughton were keen to keep the exact location of his trip a secret, although his decision illustrates his intention to put plans in place should owner Mike Ashley fail to sell the club in the next few weeks.

It was repeated once again yesterday how one United States group – despite claims from numerous American parties that they are not interested – is competing with a rival bidder to buy-out Ashley, who is looking to receive £250m.

Kinnear and his managerial team, however, have heard nothing to confirm such an agreement and are working as normal as they look to maintain Newcastle’s improved form.

And after a meeting with the club’s executive director (football) earlier this week, the 61-year-old took the decision to cast an eye over possible January targets last night, with numerous games taking place across Europe, before returning to Tyneside for this afternoon’s visit of Wigan.

Kinnear’s contract is due to expire after next Saturday’s trip to Chelsea and he has promised ‘more will become clear’ about his and the club’s future after that fixture.

With that in mind, Hughton has outlined the reasons why both Kinnear and Wise are drawing up a shortlist of players ahead of the January transfer window.

“With Joe’s position, one thing that will remain is that the team has to win games,”

said Hughton. “We have to be made aware of the best players available. We need to be in a decent position and a certain amount of work has to be done.

“Dennis is still in the same position as he was two or three months ago. Unless that changes, he will continue to do that job he is asked to do. I don’t know what they have been talking about.”

There is also a determination to keep the players currently at St James’ Park.

Aston Villa are the latest to have considered a cut-price move after Christmas for Michael Owen, while there was also strong word that Harry Redknapp will look to lure Shay Given to Tottenham.

“I can save Harry the time and money and tell him not to bother even picking up the phone,” said Kinnear before his departure from the training ground yesterday. “There is no way Shay Given will be leaving this football club.”

Hughton added: “What we want is the strongest possible squad and that is what we have at the moment. If we can keep the players we have that would be a plus for us.

“Shay is a top goalkeeper. I have been fortunate to work with some very good keepers.

Shay is up there with them all, very much.”

While Mark Viduka’s return to the training ground yesterday was welcomed, the Australian striker will not be among the substitutes against Wigan today.

A more pressing decision for Kinnear to make, however, is whether to give Owen a start, which would pose the question of whether to include him at the expense of Obafemi Martins. Alternatively, he could play with three forwards.

“Michael could not have done anymore than he has on the training pitch,” said Hughton. “I accommodated both Oba and Michael and we played with the both of them last season.”

With the exception of being without Steven Taylor (groin), who misses out again, Newcastle are satisfied they have the personnel capable of responding to last weekend’s defeat at Fulham by claiming a third successive home victory.

Hughton said: “What is good is that we have the strongest bench we have had for a while now. The strength of the bench is putting everybody under that extra bit of pressure and we have not had that before.”

“It gives everyone a lift because they have to fight for their places and there is a confidence now that we can beat anyone at St James’ Park.”