CHRIS HUGHTON intends to convince Jack Wilshere he should spend next season on loan at Newcastle rather than head back to Bolton for another nine months.
The Newcastle boss started working on his transfer options for the summer a few weeks ago and Wilshere is prominent in his plans.
Hughton has known throughout that time that he would be given little funds to strengthen, so using the loan system and acquiring free signings has been in his thinking.
But Hughton hopes Arsenal and Wilshere will be receptive to the idea of the highly-rated midfielder heading to the North-East.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been satisfied with the experience the 18- year-old has gained from spending this season at the Reebok Stadium and is expected to give him the goahead to head out again from August.
Bolton boss Owen Coyle has admitted he will be doing his best to make sure Wilshere rejoins, but Newcastle are keen to convince him otherwise.
It is a task that will not be straight-forward because the player enjoyed his time in Lancashire, where he was given a standing ovation from the Bolton fans after Sunday’s 2-0 win over Birmingham City.
Hughton is hoping the prospect of being able to offer Wilshere the opportunity to play in front of 50,000-plus crowds at St James’ Park will prove more attractive to both Wenger and the player.
It promises to be a challenging summer for Hughton, who knows his hands are tied as he attempts to strengthen his squad.
Newcastle owner Mike Ashley’s declaration to make no cash available for signings, made via a 1,000-plus word statement on Sunday, outlined an intention to see the club break even over the next five years and he wants much of the club’s success to be down to the Academy.
Before that happens, however, Hughton knows his first team needs to be tinkered with and, as well as Wilshere, he also has his eyes on Man United youngsters Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley.
Interestingly, following Sunday’s statement, Ashley felt he had to react to claims that he has tightened the purse strings this summer because he is looking at ways of recouping the cash he has already put in to the club.
The latest financial figures show Ashley has loaned the club £111m, which is repayable on request, and it has been suggested that he was ready to reduce that.
But Ashley said in a statement last night that he is “not looking for his interestfree loan to the club to be repaid, or to take any money out of the club”.
■ Former Newcastle players Steve Caldwell and Amdy Faye have been released by Burnley and Stoke respectively.
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