Newcastle boss Chris Hughton will not allow his players to relax even if they do clinch the Coca-Cola Championship title. The already-promoted Magpies need a maximum of four more points from as many games to ensure they finish on top of the pile ahead of second-placed West Brom.

But even if they take themselves to the brink with victory at Reading in their game in hand on Tuesday evening, there will be no opportunity to sit back.

Speaking after a 4-1 home win over play-off hopefuls Blackpool on Saturday, Hughton said: "The best time to do anything is the first opportunity.

"Yes, we are aware that a win on Tuesday night makes it almost there, but what I would like to see is this group of lads go right through to the end of the season and irrespective of what happens on Tuesday, I am quite sure I won't see a group of lads looking to tail off towards the end of the season."