CHRIS Hughton might be about to reinforce his defensive ranks with a move for Bolton defender Dan Shittu, but Jose Enrique has claimed he is willing to make a halfcentury of appearances this season in order to help Newcastle return to the top-flight.

After missing out on Sheffield United centre-half Matt Kilgallon, Hughton has earmarked Shittu as a potential replacement for Zurab Khizanishvili, who has returned to Blackburn Rovers following the end of his loan move.

Shittu, a Nigeria international who joined Bolton in a £2m move from Watford in August 2008, is available on loan for the second half of the season after failing to make a single senior appearance for the Trotters this term.

QPR have also expressed an interest in securing his services, but Hughton is ready to make a formal approach to new Bolton boss Owen Coyle ahead of Monday’s Championship promotion clash with West Brom.

Shittu would primarily provide cover for Newcastle’s first-choice back four, with the quartet having already played a lot of first-team football this season.

Enrique, Newcastle’s only out-and-out left-back, has already started 25 matches, with his latest outing coming in Wednesday’s impressive FA Cup victory over Plymouth.

The Spaniard is on course to pass the half-century mark in terms of appearances, a figure that is all but unheard of in his homeland.

But while the matches continue to come thick and fast, with the Magpies due to face West Brom twice in the space of five days as a result of this week’s replay success, Enrique is not complaining about his workload.

“I want to play 50 games this season,” he said. “That is one of my ambitions, although I never thought I would be saying that when I came to England.

“When I first arrived, I needed to get stronger and fitter, it was hard for me at first, but now I feel good. It took me a bit of time to get used to the style of football, but I am very happy in England and very happy playing for Newcastle United.

“I’ve been the only left-back in the squad all season and, thankfully, I’ve avoided injuries.

I hope that continues because I think to play 50 games in a season is a big achievement for any player.

I’ve never played that many games before, but I think I’ve only missed one or two cup games this season. I still feel good and there are no problems for me.”

Enrique’s next outing will come in Monday night’s Championship game with West Brom, and the 23-yearold is expecting the Baggies to provide one of the toughest tests of the season.

The two clubs drew 1-1 at the Hawthorns on the opening weekend of the campaign, and while the Magpies have gone on to lose games against Blackpool, Nottingham Forest and Scunthorpe, Enrique still regards Roberto Di Matteo’s side as the best team in the league, apart, of course, from United.

“We have two very important games coming up against West Brom,” he said. “And I think we all know which is the most important for the club. If we can win the league game it will be a big boost for us in terms of promotion because they have been trying to catch us for a long time and are a very good side.

“I think they are the best team we have played this season, and it will be a hard game for us. I don’t think there will be any surprises as we have played them already this season, when we drew away on the first day.

“But we are a better team now than then. When we played them last time, it was just after we had been relegated, and we were still getting used to the Championship.

Now, I think we know what we need to do in this division, and that is why we are at the top of the league. We have not lost a game since October and we want to keep that going.”

■ Newcastle’s rearranged Championship match at Reading has been scheduled for Tuesday, February 23, kick-off 8pm.

And Newcastle’s home date with Nottingham Forest has been put back for Sky TV and will take place on Monday, March 29 at 7.45pm.