After defeat to West Ham, Newcastle caretaker boss Chris Hughton insists the club's boardroom crisis shouldn't be affecting on-field form.

He said: "It hasn't been difficult. We have a typical training ground environment, where the lads get on well and prepare well for games.

"Getting them right for games hasn't been a problem and once that's the case, you want to get results. That's the disappointment.

"It would be easy for me to say that all the off-field stuff has affected the players but you just don't know.

"Some of the guys have been in similar or worse situations before with other clubs.

"All I can do is prepare the team as best I can and picking up the players for a big game on Wednesday against Spurs in the Carling Cup."