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Nolan calls for fresh faces

Image: Nolan: Additions needed

Kevin Nolan believes Newcastle need to focus their attentions on finding quality new additions.

Magpies midfielder wants to welcome new recruits

Kevin Nolan believes Newcastle need to focus their attentions of finding quality new additions. Confusion continues to reign on Tyneside as the new season approaches, with the club yet to appoint a full-time manager. Chris Hughton remains in temporary charge for now, with the Magpies reluctant to bring in anyone new while owner Mike Ashley persists with his efforts to sell the club. The distracting episode has diverted attention from matters on the field, though, with relegation from the Premier League last season having seen the squad stripped down to the bare bones. The likes of Michael Owen and Mark Viduka have been released, while Nigeria international Obafemi Martins has been offloaded to Wolfsburg. Midfield enforcer Nolan feels adequate replacements have not been identified for those ushered out of the exits, and he insists landing fresh faces remains a higher priority for Newcastle at present than finding a new manager. "You can never ever take away what Chris (Hughton) and Colin (Calderwood, his assistant) have done," Nolan told The Journal.

Strengthen

"The lads are more than happy to take this (the management status quo). "But one thing we may have to do if things stay the way it is, is bring a couple of new faces in to freshen things up and strengthen in places where we need strengthening. "It's major, big decision time for people upstairs and that's up to them. We're just getting on with things on the pitch and they're doing their thing. "We're not here to ask for anything, just produce on the pitch." Slipping into the Championship could see Newcastle struggle to entice the calibre of player they are after, but Nolan insists the Magpies remain a big draw to any professional player. "No-one will find it difficult to come to this club because of the fans and its great history," he argued. "I don't think if Newcastle United come calling for anyone, albeit that we're in the Championship now, I don't think many people will put the phone down."

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