Before the Toon's 1-1 draw with Dundee United at Tannadice, reports claimed that Newcastle had rejected a £10million bid from the London club for the French defender, who did not feature in the friendly.

However, Hughton said: "The first I heard about it was when I saw it on television this morning.

"I haven't spoken to anybody since then. It's just speculation as far as I'm concerned.

"At this moment, they are all Newcastle players.

"What happens in the future I don't know, but at this moment they are all Newcastle players.

"It was never my intention for me to play Bassong, he is suspended for the first game of the season.

"So we were always going to leave him out anyway."

Hughton, however, admitted that he was not made aware of the transfer of Obafemi Martins, who, signed a four-year contract with Wolfsburg on Friday.

He said: "I was made aware when it was a definite deal. At this moment there are no other transfers.

"I don't have a remit to bring any players in, it's something I haven't spoken about.

"Apart from those who left last season, we have the full complement of players minus Obafemi Martins.

"When and if it needs to be addressed it will be at the appropriate time.

"It's not been difficult to plan, all you can do is work with the players that you have got."

Hughton claimed the hard-fought game at Tannadice would have been enjoyed by Sir Bobby Robson who died from cancer on Friday.

Before kick-off there was a minute's applause as a tribute to the former England and Newcastle manager and the couple of thousand Geordie fans who travelled north chanted his name intermittently throughout the afternoon.

A late David Goodwillie penalty ensured Dundee United grabbed a deserved draw after Andrew Carroll's strike on the hour mark gave the visitors the lead.

In between, Newcastle keeper Steve Harper saved a Danny Swanson penalty.

Hughton said: "Everybody at the club knew what Sir Bobby meant to the club.

"I had the opportunity to meet him on numerous occasions and it has been an emotional week.

"But I think he would have enjoyed the game today and the passion that was shown."