Source: Daily_Mail
Sol Campbell giving Newcastle boss Chris Hughton selection headache
He may believe he should still be considered for a return to the England squad but Sol Campbell's primary aim for now is to get into contention at Newcastle United. [LNB]The 36-year-old defender is due to play for the reserves at Whitley Park against Liverpool tonight (Tuesday) after his successful breeze through his first 45 minutes at the Stadium of Light last week. [LNB]Campbell has his eye on a place against Blackpool at St James' Park on Saturday. [LNB] Raring to go: Campbell is playing his way into contention for the Magpies[LNB]Manager Chris Hughton faces a tough decision. With Steven Taylor ruled out until October with the shoulder injury he suffered at Carlisle in pre-season, the Newcastle boss turned to Mike Williamson and Fabricio Coloccini for the early games of the season. [LNB]Injury ruled Williamson out of making an impression alongside the much-improved Argentina international in the Championship and the signing from Portsmouth made his Barclays Premier League debut in the opening game at Old Trafford. [LNB] More from Colin Young... NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Titus Bramble proves his doubters wrong (for now) after summer move to Sunderland01/09/10 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Newcastle brought back down with a bump17/08/10 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Bruce and Hughton fear the window slamming11/08/10 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Middlesbrough fans can get up close and personal with the players - how will they respond?03/08/10 Northern Exposure: Newcastle fans must be happier than Sunderland's27/07/10 Colin Young: A fully-fit Barton is great news for Newcastle... and England20/07/10 Colin Young: Bruce doesn't waste time as Sunderland kick off in Ireland13/07/10 NORTHERN EXPOSURE: Told you so - Scots are taking over at Middlesbrough08/07/10 VIEW FULL ARCHIVE The pair were not the only ones to look exposed against the former champions. But against Aston Villa and Wolves they conceded just one goal and looked to be building the sort of understanding which is essential for any central defensive partnership. [LNB]They hold the shirts and Hughton and Campbell know it. They also know Campbell did not sign for Newcastle and delay his retirement to sit among the substitutes and an outing against Brett Ormerod and former Newcastle striker Marlon Harewood may just be to his liking. [LNB]Newcastle's steady start to the new season - near-humiliation against Manchester United, incredible 6-0 drubbing of Villa and hard-fought draw at Wolves - has, in Hughton's words, already steadied the ship.[LNB]Despite last season's annihilation of Championship fodder, Newcastle fans would be forgiven for worrying that the first three matches would end in defeat, leaving them without a point before this current international break and the visit of fellow promoted side Blackpool. [LNB]Instead they are in good heart and so far, the verdict from most fans and observers is that Newcastle 'should be all right' in their ultimate quest to survive this first season and build on that.[LNB] The addition of Hatem Ben Arfa could prove a masterstroke and the talented France international has all the makings of following David Ginola and Laurent Robert into the hearts of Newcastle supporters, while occasionally driving them mad with frustration too. [LNB]But will it be enough? If there is one slight concern following the lack of activity at St James' in the final days and hours of the transfer window, it is that the Newcastle squad looks slightly brittle when you scratch away at the surface of the current first-choice XI. [LNB] Local hero: Geordie striker Carroll (right) scored a hat-trick against Aston Villa[LNB]Take away Andy Carroll, who hopes to have shaken off the ankle injury which forced his England Under 21 withdrawal, and where does the serious threat, presence and goals come from? [LNB]Lose the drive of Kevin Nolan or Joey Barton behind him, and it takes away so much of the energy at the heart of the team, and with Jose Enrique already proving he should not be ruled out as a left-back for Spain, it will be hoped he can stay injury-free. [LNB]Campbell is the sort of man on the sidelines who could walk into the Newcastle side and it would be improved rather than hindered, which would definitely be the case whoever was selected if Carroll is ever absent. [LNB]The former Arsenal and Spurs defender was very taken with the 300 Newcastle supporters who travelled to Wearside to see his debut in the reserves' 3-1 win over Sunderland. [LNB]But even he may to wait just a little longer to really sample playing in front of the rest of the Geordie faithful. [LNB] Hughton targets fresh Newcastle deal but boss puts talks on the backburnerSign up to our FREE Fantasy Football game - with £40,000 in prize money up for grabsCampbell tells Newcastle hotshot Carroll not to get carried awayNewcastle blow: Xisco handed three-match ban for reserve team red[LNB]
