The Chronicle claims: "After Sebastien Bassong’s £8m move to Tottenham, preliminary discussions with the White Hart Lane club have taken place over the prospect of two Spurs youngsters making the return journey to Tyneside on loan deals.
"However, these moves will not be made until a couple of days before the transfer deadline on September 1."
Habib Beye and Obafemi Martins have been sold and Michael Owen, Peter Lovenkrands and Mark Viduka have left – and Hughton has been left powerless when it comes to recruitment this summer.
Hughton was only informed of David Edgar’s departure to Burnley on July 1 when he spotted the player on TV joining the Turf Moor club.
Hughton has less than 20 senior players in his squad.
Hughton: “I am realistic enough to know that if I’m still in the seat as the weeks go on, discussions will have to take place over players going and so on, but at the moment it hasn’t happened.”