And Chris Hughton has been PROMISED that he does not need to sell any more players in the club’s attempts to return to the top-flight.
Now ... suddenly ... Hughton has a wealth of riches to choose from and the chances of promotion have received a boost with the news that Nicky Butt has returned to training ahead of Saturday’s visit of Watford to St James’ Park.
Hughton now has only Joey Barton ruled out through injury, with Shola Ameobi and Andy Carroll also in contention again after their enforced absences recently.
And with Frenchman Fabrice Pancrate also recently recruited to bolster numbers, Hughton is keen to make sure his options keep increasing rather than dwindling by selling his best players.