Nolan joined Newcastle from Bolton for �4m in January

Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton hailed the impact of midfielder Kevin Nolan after his goal secured a 1-0 win against Preston.

The strike was the 27-year-old's ninth of the season and fired the Magpies back to the top of the Champonship - two points above West Brom.

"He's doing great, he's an experienced player who's played at a very good level," Hughton told BBC Newcastle.

"He's a football person and he's got a calmness and composure to score goals."

The Newcastle boss was also full of praise for striker Andy Carroll who played just over an hour of the game despite being ill before being replaced by Nile Ranger.

"Andy Carroll had been ill most of the day and probably had no right to be out there really," he said.

"He's a tough lad Andy, he wanted to play and we probably got more out of him than we thought we would."

Danny Simpson was also forced off after an hour with a thigh problem.

"We lost Danny Simpson, but he's not too bad," said Hughton. "Amongst all that to keep a clean sheet and get three points, whether we deserved it or not, we certainly showed enough character and determination to deserve it."

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