Sol Campbell has got to wait for chance to play

Sep 9 2010 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

SOL Campbell has done everything needed to make his Newcastle United debut against Blackpool this weekend, but Chris Hughton’s high-profile summer signing will not walk straight into the starting line-up.

Campbell missed the start of pre-season training after postponing a decision on whether to sign for Newcastle until after his wedding and has been playing catch-up fitness-wise ever since.

But, after two appearances for the reserves during the international break, the veteran England international is now finally ready to make his significant presence felt in the Premier League.

Hughton has been impressed by Campbell’s drive and determination since he snubbed offers from Arsenal, Sunderland and Celtic to sign for the Magpies.

And he also praised the 35-year-old’s diligence in training after some unflattering pictures led to a torrent of unfair criticism about his physical shape.

He said: “Sol has had two reserve-team games and he has another two weeks of hard training so I would expect him to be involved against Blackpool at the weekend.

“When you have a player who is as experienced as Sol, they know their bodies and they know when they are fit. Sol has worked extremely hard since he signed for Newcastle and he is almost ready.

“I’ve been very pleased with the way he has trained and the work he has done to get fit as quickly as possible. He was a little behind everyone else because he got married in the summer and missed the start of pre-season, but he is in good shape now.

“I don’t think it is a risk to include him in the squad for the Blackpool game because he knows how he is feeling. He is a big signing for us – and I know he can’t wait to play.”

Although Campbell joined Newcastle on the pretext that he will play plenty of first-team football, he may have to wait for a chance to show he can still cut it at the highest level because of the form of Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson.