CARETAKER manager Chris Hughton is looking to Xisco to keep up the good work at West Ham on Saturday after the Spanish international marked his Newcastle United debut with a goal against Hull City last Saturday. And news of another striker and the absence of Dean Ashton at Upton Park On Saturday will have given United a big lift before they fly down to London tomorrow. If Obafemi Martins is fit, Hughton has the choice of playing a three-man attack with the little Nigerian alongside Xisco and skipper Michael Owen in a 4-3-3 formation. Hughton would not be drawn on that but, speaking on United’s £5.8m signing from Deportivo La Coruna, the United caretaker boss told me today: “Xisco’s goal against Hull was very much a positive for us. It allowed us to rally and have the finish we did. “He’s a smashing lad. His English is reasonably good. He’s an international player, and I think the goal certainly meant a lot to him, and more for the team.” With so many players injured and Joey Barton suspended, Hughton was literally down to the bare bones against Hull and he is not exactly blessed with a lot of choice for Saturday, with Danny Guthrie now suspended. Hughton added: “ With all due respect to the younger lads we had on the bench, the team almost picked itself. There was just one issue I had. “Hopefully, we’ll have one or two back for West Ham.” Kevin Keegan insisted the United squad did not have the strength in depth for the rigours of the Premier League – and he is being proved right. Of the 17 players on duty for United’s reserves in last night’s 3-0 defeat at Bolton Wanderers, not one of them has played in the Premier League. Someone who has not played in the top flight at Upton Park since February is former Toon striker Craig Bellamy because of long-standing groin problems. This could change on Saturday, however, with the word from East London being that Ashton’s absence for the next month with an ankle injury is being countered by the return of Bellamy to face his former club. | 
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