Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton is hopeful of adding to his squad this week.
Magpies boss optimistic of making more signings this week
Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton is hopeful of adding to his squad this week.
The Magpies have so far signed Sol Campbell, Dan Gosling and James Perch as they plan for the 2010/11 Premier League season.
And it is reported that Newcastle's next move may be to secure a season-long loan deal for Manchester United midfielder Tom Cleverley.
"It would be nice to get more players in over the next couple of weeks," said Hughton in the
Daily Mail.
"Can I guarantee anything? Of course I can't, but we're working very hard on it."
Hughton also offered praise to striker Xisco, who featured in his side's 2-2 friendly draw with PSV Eindhoven on Saturday.
Strikers
The Spaniard signed for the Magpies from Deportivo in 2008 but has since made just three league starts for the Tyneside club, and spent the majority of last season on loan at Racing Santander.
Hughton said: "Xisco has been good in pre-season. We have six strikers who have all been fit in pre-season so it's been a case of shifting them around to give them the minutes they need.
"The difficulty for him is he's playing in a position where we have a lot of options. All he can do is to force the decision. He can put himself in a position to perform and train well.
"He's older now. When he came it was a difficult period for him and the other players. Sometimes the experiences of a foreign player coming here with other strikers in front of you, you don't get a real rhythm.
"I suppose it's a little bit like Leon Best when he came in January with Andy Carroll and Peter Lovenkrands scoring goals for fun. It made it difficult for him to get the minutes on the pitch.
"Xisco played more regularly back in Spain last season, now he must continue to do well in pre-season and force the issue."
