Hughton claims spirit is ‘great’ (From The Northern Echo)

Hughton claims spirit is ‘great’

9:37am Wednesday 8th July 2009 in

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DESPITE claims of a potential dressing room revolt, caretaker manager Chris Hughton insists the Newcastle United players are showing great professionalism under trying circumstances.

Yesterday a Malaysian consortium bidding to take over the Magpies paid a second flying visit to Tyneside.

Managing director Derek Llambias gave a further tour of the club but reports have surfaced that the players are becoming increasingly frustrated by the uncertainty surrounding the club.

With four consortia still in the running, players expecting news on Alan Shearer’s future at the club before the end of the week are likely to be disappointed.

Newcastle head into Saturday’s first pre-season friendly with Shamrock Rovers under the caretaker management of Hughton.

He has been putting the players through their paces at a training ground in Dublin ahead of the match and he insists there has been no mutterings of discontent.

“I must say that you would not know there is uncertainty about the future of the club from the mood around the players,” said Hughton.

“This trip has been ideal in many ways in getting the lads away from that. There’s a great spirit and they are a group who enjoy each other’s company.

“We’ve seen the lads having a laugh but that’s only after the hard work on the training pitch.”