United new boys sweat on debuts
HATEM Ben Arfa and Cheik Tiote are sweating on their Newcastle United debuts.
Boss Chris Hughton is keeping the midfield pair – and defensive recruit Sol Campbell – guessing over whether they'll make his starting XI for Saturday's home game against Blackpool.
Tiote and Ben Arfa have been training hard ahead of the visit of Ian Holloway's side to St James's Park.
And Hughton has no concerns over the fitness of tough-tackling Tiote – who played for the Ivory Coast against Rwanda over the international break – and winger Ben Afra, who trained on his own before his protracted loan move to Newcastle was eventually sealed late last month.
However, Hughton has admitted Tiote and Ben Arfa need more time to get to know their new team-mates, and the duo could start the game on the United bench.
"For both of them, it's important they get to know the group," said Hughton.
"Ben Arfa wants to have the games he came here for. He's been training with the group, and has been impressed by the standard we have here.
"It's the same for Cheik – he only arrived here this week, and hasn't had the chance to get to know the players too well yet.
"We have not seen too much of Cheik so far.
"Once the transfer was completed, he had to go back to Holland for a period to sort things out, and then he went away on international duty with the Ivory Coast.
"These are decisions which need to be made, and will be made. We need to see, but fitness-wise, they're fine.
"Cheik has played in games for Twente, and trained over the summer like everybody else. Now he's getting in with the group.
"He speaks English, and that'll be a big bonus. However, we're yet to see how he is understanding everybody else, and how fluent he is in the language."
Campbell, meanwhile, is expected to be Hughton's squad after playing in two reserve fixtures, though he could be made to wait for a start given the form of central defensive duo Mike Williamson and Fabrio Coloccini.
Meanwhile, striker Andy Carroll – who missed England's two Under-21 fixtures through injury – is likely to be fit, having returned to training.
Hughton added: "He's certainly back in the frame. He's trained, and now we hope there is no adverse reaction from him."
Season-ticket holders have until September 19 to apply for tickets for Newcastle's visit to West Ham on October 23.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Jarrow
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -0 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: West
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North west
