NEWCASTLE UNITED have dismissed talk that Carling Cup match- winner Kevin Nolan is returning to the Reebok Stadium. However, caretaker boss Chris Hughton has revealed he does expect to be in for a “hectic day” next Tuesday with the transfer window set to shut at 5pm. Hughton wants to bolster his squad with a couple of loan signings before the deadline and is expected to bring in free agent Peter Lovenkrands. However, the prospect of Gareth Bale coming to Tyneside from Tottenham Hotspur on loan would be largely dependent on the percentage of wages United would have to cough up for a player reportedly picking up around £45,000 per week. Nolan woke up to national headlines today linking him with a return to Bolton Wanderers on a loan deal just eight months after signing for the Magpies for £4m – but a return to the Trotters looks extremely unlikely despite under-fire boss Gary Megson’s desire to lure back the battling midfielder to the club in which he made his name. Nolan’s agent Mark Curtis said today: “Kevin’s happy at Newcastle and wants to help them get back into the Premier League.” Hughton also wants to retain his in-form midfielder, with the Scouser skippering the Magpies to victory last night. He told the Chronicle: “I would be very, very hopeful of that. “Come Tuesday at 5pm we are looking to have a squad that is able to compete. “I suppose you look at the squad today and you think if you get a couple of injuries it will test the squad even more so. “But everybody is braced for a hectic day on Tuesday – some more than others. “It will also settle the players down as well. “Some will have had their names bandied around or there is speculation whether they are staying or going, but come 5pm on Tuesday, we’ll know whatever group of lads are in there are the ones who are fighting to get out of this division.” Hughton is also fighting to keep Steven Taylor and Fabricio Coloccini, with interest from Everton and Espanyol respectively, although the Barcelona-based La Liga side have now turned to another Argentine defender in Boca Juniors’ Juan Forlin. Both players were rested last night, with many fans fearing that the decision to not field Taylor was to ensure he wasn’t cup-tied for League Cup games in order to be available to play for the Toffees in later rounds should they turn to the ex-England Under-21 defender as a replacement for Joleon Lescott. Hughton said: “I can tell you 100% there is nothing to read into that.” Yet there was news from Spain today that Racing Santander are keen on taking Xisco on loan, with the striker also left out last night. | 
Article
