Boss Hughton hails striker’s ‘excellent’ late impact

Sep 20 2009 by Sunday Sun

“He had been out for a period of time and had only two days training with the team before Blackpool, but he started that game and again today.

“He just got stronger and better as the game went on. He was excellent.”

Hughton, who may be without Danny Simpson for Tuesday’s Carling Cup trip to Peterborough after the right-back injured an ankle yesterday, hinted Nile Ranger will soon be back in the starting line-up.

“I have an option with Nile and Andy Carroll,” he said. “Nile is a young lad and we know we can get a response from bringing him on as opposed to starting him, but that’s a decision we have to make.”

He will also step up his efforts to sign a loan striker this week as Newcastle look to consolidate their position behind West Brom at the top of the Championship.

By contrast, Plymouth are propping up the division after six straight defeats, piling pressure on manager Paul Sturrock.

He said: “I’m half sorry for the players. They gave everything they had. To lose a goal that early but then chase the game and get back into it was a credit to them.

It wasn’t a 3-1 drubbing. I felt we contributed to the game, and if Gary Saw- yer’s effort goes in at 1-1, then who knows?”