Source: PA
Campbell angered by fans' criticism
Newcastle new-boy Sol Campbell has branded criticism of his physical condition as "pathetic" and vowed he will be back to peak fitness "in three or four weeks".
The 35-year-old former England centre-back was labelled "fat belly" on Magpies' supporters' message boards after the publication of a less-than-flattering training photograph over the weekend.
Campbell accepts he has work to do but claims his current state is no cause for concern.
"It's pathetic," he told Soccernet of the abuse. "I had been training for three days - just three days. I am three weeks behind everyone else in pre-season. Don't they know I have just got married and been on honeymoon?
"I accept the picture wasn't flattering and I do need to catch up on my level of fitness but the training kit was not very flattering and showed up all sorts of things.
"The truth is I am now in better shape than when I started off back at Arsenal after a long lay-off. I got myself back into shape at Arsenal and I think I had a reasonably good end half of the season."
