Hughton has faith in Campbell

The 36-year-old former England defender has been used sparingly during his time on Tyneside so far after a late start to pre-season training. However, he showed in his senior debut in a Carling Cup victory at Chelsea and then as a substitute in the 2-1 defeat at Manchester City last time out that he is ready to play his part if required. Hughton said: "Sol has shown in the games he has played, Chelsea away and coming on at Manchester City, that he is a very solid character and a very solid player. "There are not too many frills about Sol, he just does the job efficiently and in the manner in which he is used to doing it, so I have never had any fears about him." Campbell's vast experience - he has 73 international caps and made more than 500 appearances for North London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal - has proved invaluable inside the dressing room at St James' Park. While there are other senior players in the camp, few have played the number of games or worked at the level he has during his 18-year career. Hughton said: "He's an experienced player and he is vocal enough. "You can gain that respect by what you say and by your presence, and the players are aware what a fabulous player he has been and is, so he has been a good influence." However, Campbell will have to displace either Mike Williamson or Fabricio Coloccini, who have formed an impressive partnership to date this season, while Steven Taylor is due to return to training next week after finally overcoming a shoulder injury. Coloccini limped out of the 2-1 defeat at Eastlands with a groin injury to give Campbell his chance, but has trained this week and is fit and available for Saturday's clash with Wigan. That will present Hughton with the kind of selection problem he relishes. He said: "We have lots of big decisions, but as we have continually said, we would rather have those decisions than no decisions to make." Hughton also faces a decision over whether or not to restore striker Andy Carroll to the starting line-up after replacing him with Shola Ameobi last time out as speculation continued over his possible call-up to the full England squad. Fabio Capello ultimately decided to draft in Bolton's Kevin Davies instead, although has hinted the 21-year-old may get the nod for next month's friendly against France. In the meantime, Carroll has committed his future to the Magpies by signing a new five-year deal, and Hughton is delighted to have secured the services of one of the club's prized assets. He said: "What it does is represent both parties. We have made it clear to everybody that he is a player we want at this club, that we see very much as the future of this club. "But of course for him to want to sign that length of contract also shows what we have known all along, that he is very happy here. "He is a local lad, which means an awful lot to our supporters, and he very much sees his future here."