Hughton has led Newcastle to the top of the Championship this season

Newcastle United caretaker manager Chris Hughton has paid tribute to his side for lifting themselves to the top of the Championship.

The Magpies go to Blackpool on Wednesday with five Championship wins from six and Hughton is delighted with the manner of his side's performances.

"We've had to win in different manners and styles," he told BBC Newcastle.

"Some games we've been able to show what a good footballing side we and some we've had our backs to the wall."

It is in the striking department that Newcastle have been hit hardest, with injuries to players such as Shola Ameobi and Andy Carroll leaving Hughton with just teenage striker Nile Ranger as his first choice forward.

And Hughton believes his side has knuckled down and accounted for the absence of key strikers with goals across the team.

We're having to dig in, in a different way, because at this moment we don't have those options up front Chris Hughton

"What we are doing is spreading goals around across the team, and that's great for building confidence at the moment,"

"We're having to dig in, in a different way, because at this moment we don't have those options up front, say a quick striker who can stretch people.

"We're having to work with what we've got, we've got Nile Ranger who is gaining experience with every game, he finding out how tough it is, not getting his way, but keeps coming back."

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