Chris Hughton believes the Newcastle coaching staff are capable of deputising in Joe Kinnear's absence.
Magpies assistant manager happy to step into Kinnear's shoes
Chris Hughton believes the Newcastle coaching staff are capable of deputising in Joe Kinnear's absence.
The Magpies boss is set to undergo a heart bypass operation in the next few days, ruling him out of action for the foreseeable future.
That means Hughton and first team coach Colin Calderwood will take charge of club affairs until further notice.
Hughton is looking forward to the challenge, and believes he has the ideal right-hand man in former Nottingham Forest and Northampton manager Calderwood.
"I was fortunate enough to work with him at Tottenham, and he went on to two managerial jobs at Nottingham Forest and Northampton," he told the
Evening Chronicle.
"I was absolutely delighted he took this job and got back into coaching again, and I think he'll be a big asset to us.
"It's always been about bringing the right people in.
Ideal choice
"We had been one down since Steve Round went in the summer and wasn't replaced.
"It was always the intention to get the right person, and when Colin became available after his exit from Forest it seemed right."
The first task facing the caretaker duo is a home date with Everton on 22nd February.
The St James' Park clash promises to provide a stern test of Hughton's credentials, but the Magpies have been boosted by the news that Obafemi Martins will be back in contention by the time the Toffees arrive on Tyneside.
"Oba is back in training, and he will be available for the Everton game," added Hughton.
"It will be great to see him back in action, and I am sure that will give everybody here a big boost."
