Hughes: I can fire Notts to promotion

LEE Hughes today said he can fire Notts County to promotion next season.

The Magpies have finally landed the 33-year-old striker on a two-year deal, after it looked like he had turned down a move to Meadow Lane.

And he insists he will thrive on the pressure of being expected to score 20-plus goals in League Two, having been a £5m player earlier in his career.

Coventry splashed out the seven-figure sum for Hughes to sign him from West Brom in 2001 – and he has commanded nearly £8m in transfer fees in total.

There is even more pressure on the Magpies to win promotion next season now former England boss Sven-Goran Eriksson has been installed as director of football at Meadow Lane.

And Hughes said: "I have come here to win promotion, I don't want to play in League Two for long.

"I can handle the pressure of being expected to score a lot of goals. I got sold for £5m so I've had to live with expectation before.

"It's not a problem, I will thrive on the pressure."

Two Championship clubs, believed to be Sheffield Wednesday and Doncaster Rovers, were also chasing Hughes.

But Hughes said boss Ian McParland convinced him to join the revolution at Meadow Lane, following the takeover of the club by wealthy Middle Eastern consortium Munto Finance.

And he said the arrival of Eriksson on a five-year deal proves the ambition of the club to get into the Premier League.

"I spoke to (captain) John Thompson, I know him from Oldham," he said.

"He said the lads here are really good players and the manager's a top bloke and everyone enjoys playing for him.

"My choice wasn't that hard to make to be fair. There were just a few things that we had to sort out and it was sorted.

"I had a few other options but I was sold the club and that was it. I spoke to Ian and he convinced me they are an up and coming club and Sven coming has proved that even more.

"Sven coming is a bit strange but it's good for the club and the fans and hopefully he can help attract more good players here.

"The club is ambitious and I want to be a part of it.

"I want to try to help them get promoted this season – that's why I have come here.

"I finished last season playing in the Championship and hopefully I can help them get there."