WITH discussions over his new contract all but complete, Chris Hughton is likely to be Newcastle United’s permanent manager by the time they play Doncaster Rovers tomorrow afternoon.

Hughton has held a number of telephone discussions with Mike Ashley in recent days, and with takeover talks having ground to a halt, the Magpies owner is keen to turn the interim manager’s current temporary arrangement into a permanent one.

Hughton is equally keen to secure his first full-time managerial post, and despite a run of four matches without a win, the former Republic of Ireland international should be confirmed as Joe Kinnear’s long-term successor within the next 24 hours.

“I have had an offer,” confirmed Hughton, who will be without the suspended Alan Smith when Doncaster visit.

“We’re just in discussions at the moment and I’d hope it would all be (sorted) soon.

“What is fact is that they want me to be the manager and I want to be the manager as well. There’s been an offer and we’re in discussions.

“We’re in discussions and the good thing is that they want me to sign, and I want to sign. The biggest thing for me is that the club want me to be manager, and I will hopefully get the chance to take this team back into the Premier League.”

Having led the Magpies on an interim basis since the start of pre-season training, Hughton’s position will be strengthened if he signs a permanent contract within the next 24 hours.

The former Academy coach is understood to have sought assurances about the club’s anticipated transfer activity, both in terms of emergency loans and during the January transfer window, and will assume full responsibility for the outcome of the ongoing promotion campaign.

“What’s normal is that when someone’s on a contract, they’re in a stronger position then perhaps when they’re not,” he said. “I’m hoping to sign it very very soon.

The objective at the start of the season was to get this club promotion, and that hasn’t changed.”

While Steven Taylor misses tomorrow’s game because of a hamstring injury, fellow centre- half Fabricio Coloccini is expected to return following a groin problem.

The Argentina international has been sidelined since last month’s 4-0 win at Ipswich, and with Danny Simpson and Zurab Khizanishvili having struggled during Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at Scunthorpe, his return could be crucial.

“Coloccini will be back on Saturday and he’s one we welcome back warmly,” said Hughton. “We’ve had injuries to two big players, him and Steven Taylor, who I hope will be back with us for the Sheffield United game.

“We’ve had injuries to two big players. We’ve conceded goals and, as a team, we have to take that on the chin. But it is a big boost to have Colo back.”

■ Newcastle will be without Haris Vuckic for three months after the promising youngster sustained ankle ligament damage during Slovenia Under-19s’ European Championships qualifier against England last week.