No grudges for Lee after Toon clash

The 21-year-old Town striker got more than he bargained for when he turned out for a 'friendly' against the club he supported as a boy when he was left needing stitches in his chin following a clash with the Argentinian. However, the former Gateshead frontman had few complaints. He said: "It was a feisty game. What happened was just part and parcel of football. "You are always going to get knocks and stuff like that. There were handshakes at the end of the game still as normal. "I didn't see Fabricio Coloccini at the end of the game, but if I saw him, I would shake his hand, I have no problem with that. "I wouldn't hold a grudge against anybody over that." The flashpoint was one of two which marred the Magpies' 1-0 win at the Galpharm Stadium with the first seeing 20 players and coaches from both clubs involved after Senegal international Habib Beye and Huddersfield skipper Peter Clarke clashed at half- time. Caretaker Newcastle boss Chris Hughton, who withdrew Beye soon afterwards, but not at the request of referee Jon Moss, insisted the incident showed his players care about the club. Opposite number Lee Clark, another Geordie who played for the Magpies and launched his coaching career at St James' Park, was not too concerned either. He told the Evening Chronicle: "It showed that both teams were committed and they did their utmost for both clubs. "The one in the first half, I missed because I was back in the dressing room. Then I heard there was a bit of an incident going on. "When I came out of the dressing room, the players were just ushering each other away. "The one at the end, there was commotion and a coming together. I didn't see the incident again. "But when Lee Novak came towards the line, my lad indicated he had been punched. "It's hard for me to comment. All I know is my player has a cut chin. I don't know what happened before or after and it's difficult. "It was very competitive for a friendly, but I was delighted with my side's competitiveness on the night."