Sol Campbell is in no hurry to make his full Newcastle debut after playing 45 minutes for the reserves in Tuesday's 3-1 victory over Sunderland.
The former England defender pulled on a Magpies shirt for the first time following his arrival at St James' Park a month ago. The 35-year-old has been working his way back to match fitness having been without a club since his departure from Arsenal in May.
He told Sky Sports News: "These games obviously help. You keep on working hard on the training ground and concentrate on that but you start feeling the benefits when you start playing. It was good. Forty-five minutes was enough. Next week there's another game so hopefully I can get 60-70 minutes out of me."
Campbell looked comfortable during the first half as Newcastle took a two-goal lead inside 10 minutes through Nile Ranger and a Peter Lovenkrands penalty.
They also had striker Xisco sent off but Ryan Taylor made it three before Jordan Cook pulled one back for Sunderland with a penalty five minutes from time.
Campbell is now targeting a longer appearance in next week's reserves meeting with Liverpool.
Source: PA
