NEWCASTLE MANAGER CHRIS Hughton  – emboldened by yesterday’s 5-1 rout of neighbours Sunderland – will  test the club’s board with a move to make former Ireland manager Brian Kerr his assistant.

Hughton wants the current Faroe Islands coach to replace Colin Calderwood, who left to become manager of SPL side Hibernian, according to this morning’s Irish Daily Mail.

Philip Quinn explains that the Dubliner’s duties with the European football minnows would not get in a the way of a move to St Jaems’ Park:

[I]n theory, Kerr, 57, could combine his duties as manager of the Faroes Islands with a return to club work, especially now that the domestic season is over in the Faroes.

Hughton previously worked as Kerr’s No 2 when he succeeded Mick McCarthy as the Republic of Ireland manager between January 2003 and October 2005.

It is understood that Steve Clarke, the former Chelsea, Newcastle and West Ham No 2, was Hughton’s first choice but Clarke is looking to become his own club boss.

However, Hughton- who is still waiting to pen a new deal himself – faces resistance to the swoop for Kerr as club chiefs would rather promote Magpies legend and new reserve team coach Peter Beardsley from within.

Former Ireland winger Kevin Sheedy is also in line for the post, if Kerr cannot make the switch.