Hughton admits 'testing times'

Newcastle manager Chris Hughton admits these are 'testing times' for the club, but is confident they will come through a difficult week fighting.
The Magpies fought back from two goals down to earn a 2-2 draw at home to Wigan in the Premier League on Saturday, but it has since emerged that on the same night striker Andy Carroll spent the night in a police cell after allegations of assault against his former girlfriend.
Young forward Carroll, 21, has been bailed on the condition that he must live with club captain Kevin Nolan until a further hearing in January.
Meanwhile, assistant boss Colin Calderwood has left to take the manager's job at Hibernian, and Hughton is now on the lookout for a new No. 2.
The Newcastle coach has experienced some difficult spells during his time at St James' Park, and believes they can come through the current adversity.
He said: "They are testing times.
"But these are periods you have to go through and certainly at this football club, we have been able to go through these periods and if anything, it has made us stronger as an outfit and stronger as a team.
"I see no reason why we can't do that again.
"From my point of view and the club's point of view, these are the things we have to deal with and we have to deal with them in the appropriate manner.
"It is a different era these days and these are the things you have to deal with."
Hughton has no concerns that England Under 21 international Carroll will be fully focused on the game at West Ham this weekend, despite the off-field controversy.
"With Andy, he has concentrated very much on his football," he added.
"He is a strong-minded individual and I am quite sure he will be in the right frame of mind to play football, quite sure."
Meanwhile, a meeting was held at the club on Tuesday to discuss who will step in after Calderwood's exit, with John Carver, Steve Clarke, Steve Stone and former boss Joe Kinnear all names in the frame.
Hughton remarked: "It will be my appointment who comes in and it is one I don't want to take too long over in making my mind up.
"What I need to do is go through the possibilities. I have my own ideas and it is one we don't want to drag on too long."
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