Newcastle caretaker boss Chris Hughton has warned the club's players that they are facing a tough relegation fight after losing 3-1 at home to Arsenal

"I accept it's going to be a dogfight through to the end of the season," said Hughton after the Magpies dropped into the bottom three.

"We are well aware of the position - we have eight games left.

"We need to get enough results to stay in this division and we need to get results quickly," added Hughton.

606: DEBATE Can Newcastle avoid relegation?

Together with coach Colin Calderwood, Hughton has been in charge of Newcastle since early February when manager Joe Kinnear was taken to hospital feeling ill and subsequently underwent a triple heart bypass operation.

The exact date of Kinnear's return is unclear with either 11 or 18 April touted as possible comeback dates.

Newcastle have a tough run-in with away games against Liverpool, Aston Villa and Spurs, while they also have to play relegation rivals Stoke, Portsmouth and Middlesbrough.

Both on and off the pitch, Newcastle have lurched from one crisis to the next this season following the departure of Kevin Keegan early in the campaign.

Following a fans' backlash over Keegan's exit, Ashley raised the possibility of selling the club, before deciding to stay on.

Key striker Michael Owen has been involved in just four games this year due to an ankle injury, while Charles N'Zogbia moved to Wigan in the January transfer window after a high-profile bust-up out with Kinnear.

Hughton also denied owner Mike Ashley had come to dressing room after the game to speak to the players.

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