Mark Hughes has backed Newcastle counterpart Graeme Souness to ride out the storm that is threatening to engulf him.

"I know Graeme well and I've got a lot of time for him as a guy," said the Welshman.

"He brought me to Blackburn as a player and I've always found him to be a very knowledgeable and passionate football man.

"He's a strong personality and, at this moment in time, he will possibly have to be strong and resolute.

"But he's a guy that has seen all this before and he'll come through it."