Kinnear on track for April return

Newcastle expect interim manager Joe Kinnear to resume his job next month as he recovers from a triple heart bypass.

Chris Hughton, who has been in charge since Kinnear fell ill, gave either 11 or 18 April as possible comeback dates.

"The indications are - and I haven't heard anything different to that - is that he would return round about the Stoke or Spurs games," said Hughton.

The Magpies have denied reports former England coach Terry Venables may lead the team for the rest of the season.

Hughton insisted that Kinnear, who was taken to hospital after feeling ill on the morning of the match against West Brom on 7 February, is still on track to return for the battle against relegation.

"Joe is still in that period where his rehabilitation has gone very well but he has had big surgery and there are days when he is better than other days," he stated.

"We will all be guided by the experts in that field, and more so one person himself, and that's Joe.

"That's where we are at the moment. Whether that changes or not, we will find out."

Hughton and coach Colin Calderwood are without a win in four games following a 3-2 victory over the Baggies, which was their first game without the former Wimbledon boss.

Only goal difference separates Newcastle from the Premier League relegation zone, with Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Aston Villa all featuring in a formidable set of fixtures in the run-in to the end of the season.

BBC SPORT