Chris Hughton admitted that time was against Paul Lambert in his bid to re-sign Newcastle goalkeeper Fraser Forster. The Magpies begin their Premier League campaign 10 days after City's opening Championship game - and that's where the deal fell down.

Chris Hughton admitted that time was against Paul Lambert in his bid to re-sign Newcastle goalkeeper Fraser Forster.

The Magpies begin their Premier League campaign 10 days after City's opening Championship game - and that's where the deal fell down.

“We are not prepared to make those decisions yet,” said the Newcastle boss.

Hughton was missing first choice Steve Harper through injury at the weekend and also left Forster back on Tyneside because of a slight knock, so started with Tim Krul, with 17-year-old Jak Alnwick on the bench.

“We have three keepers at this particular moment,” he said. “We have a young goalkeeper in Ole Soderberg who won't be fit for the start of the season and it is our prerogative at this moment that we have to make sure we look after ourselves.

“Fraser had a very, very slight injury and it was our choice not to risk him. He would have loved to have come back here where he had a very, very enjoyable, and what I have been told from very good authority, outstanding season.”

Forster has been strongly linked with a move to relegated Burnley.

“We are still making decisions as with any potential players that can go on loan, but he is very much a Newcastle player and one that we feel has a very bright future with us,” said Hughton.

“He has improved as a keeper. (Coach) Paul Barron was able to see him more and we are not only delighted what he has done for Norwich, we are delighted what Norwich have done for us.”

Hughton named a strong side, with the likes of Joey Barton, Andy Carroll, Leon Best and Kevin Nolan starting, but admitted that his team were second best on the day.

“It was certainly a tough game,” he said. “I think what Norwich showed they are a team with a very good rhythm.

“They, of course, have been back earlier than we have and have played more minutes on the football pitch than we have and it was the type of test that we needed.

“I never like losing any games, irrespective of whether they are pre-season games or game during the season, so that was disappointing to lose the game, but it didn't stop us making the changes that we wanted. It was about everybody gelling and getting another 45 minutes under their belt and then we can push on next week.

“Were Norwich worthy of their win? Yes they were. I thought over 90 minutes they were better. I thought we had a very good period in the second half and were able to create chances, so no excuses that way.

“The opposition today was very good opposition that have got a lot of momentum in their game, have played a system that they have played for the last year and know the system very, very well and of course it was a real test for us. They are ahead of us with their games and this is the type of competition that we want at this stage of pre-season.”