Chris backing city's 2018 bid.

Byline: Luke Edwards 

CHRIS Hughton describes the prospect of a World Cup in England without games in Newcastle as unthinkable as he declared St James' Park had to be part of the Football Association bid.

A combined bid from Newcastle-Gateshead is just one of 16 from English towns and cities aiming to be considered as a venue should the FA win the race to hold the tournament in 2018 or 2022.

Sunderland are also looking to stage games with a separate bid, but Hughton is confident Newcastle-Gateshead will triumph as he insisted St James' Park was arguably the most stunning football location in Europe.

Nevertheless, while some believe only one of the North East bids will be successful, Hughton does not see any reason why Sunderland cannot also play a part in the biggest football show on the planet.

Hughton said: "A World Cup bid, without Newcastle and St James' is unthinkable.

"This is one of the stadiums in my time as a manager, player or coach I have always regarded as one of the massive venues you look forward to coming to.

"It is not just about the size of the stadium, it is also the atmosphere, the passion.

"We always knew about how the fans got behind the players who play here.

"St James' is synonymous with good teams. However far you want to go back, even in fairly recent years with Kevin (Keegan) and the side which almost won the Premier League.

"The exciting times here and fans remember that. St James' holds a part in every footballer's life, every football fan's life.

"There was always a thought Newcastle were everyone's second favourite team and I think that is correct.

"Newcastle is a likeable city. The people are good, friendly people and because the stadium is on the hill, right in the centre of the city, it is a very imposing feature.

"There is no-one who comes through the city who does not see the wonder of St James'. You will not get that elsewhere. I could not see a World Cup bid without St James'.

Although his loyalty lies on Tyneside, Hughton still feels Wearside has plenty to offer as he talked up the region's passion for football.

He added: "It is realistic both cities could have it. What we are is Newcastle and we are St James' Park, but what we are is a region which can attract footballers and football people to the North-East.

"It is a very good proposition to have both venues."

Meanwhile, Hughton is confident both Andy Carroll and Danny Simpson will be fit enough to face Swansea City on Saturday after both were substituted during the 1-0 win over Preston North End.

He said: "Ryan Taylor did his shin, even though I said it was his calf, in the warmup. "Andy was sick and he is still very ill. He was not in today, will not be in tomorrow, but I think he will be OK.

"Danny felt his thigh, but on assessment I think he will be OK.

"Shola Ameobi has gone through two good days of training and we shall see how he is at the end of the week."

World Cup bid hit by Richardson bombshell ENGLAND'S bid for the 2018 World Cup has been thrown into another crisis by the shock resignation of Premier League chairman Sir Dave Richards from the board.

Richards sent a letter to Lord Triesman, chairman of the bid and the Football Association, saying he would continue to support the campaign - but no longer wanted to be on the board.

The resignation comes as a devastating blow to bid leaders, and especially to Triesman, who had hoped to draw a line under recent turmoil by streamlining the board at an emergency meeting 10 days ago.

Richards said in a statement: "With the recent changes to the England 2018 bid team structure, I feel I can now best support a successful bid without the necessity of sitting on the board.

"My positions as Premier League chairman, FA board member and chairman of the FA's international committee provide me with ample opportunities to bang the drum for English football, and the bid particularly, right across the world, which I will continue to do wherever and whenever I can.

"My belief is England has all the right attributes to host a successful Fifa World Cup, our challenge now is to convince the 24 members of Fifa'S ExCo [executive committee] of that."

North cities make bids to become World Cup hosts 8

CAPTION(S):

WE'RE BACKING THE BID Chris Hughton and Co at St James' Park.