Campbell steps up fitness plan

Sol Campbell hopes to be in contention for Newcastle's next Premier League game after stepping up his fitness in the reserves.

The former England defender pulled on a Newcastle shirt for the first time as he played 45 minutes for the reserves on Tuesday night.

The 35-year-old, who signed on a free transfer from Arsenal at the end of July, came through unscathed in a 3-1 win over Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

Newcastle have another reserve game at home to Liverpool next Tuesday, when Campbell hopes to put himself into Chris Hughton's squad for the Premier League visit of Blackpool a week on Saturday.

"It went really well and it was a great result," he told Sky Sports News HD.

Good to be back

"It's just great to be playing football again - heading, tackling, moving the ball. Just being out there again is fantastic.

"I think 45 minutes was enough. Next week there's another game so hopefully I can get 60/70 minutes and keep working hard in between it."

Campbell had talks with Celtic earlier in the summer after his short-term deal with Arsenal expired.

The ex-Tottenham and Portsmouth centre-half missed the start of pre-season so has been undergoing a special training programme to get back to full fitness.

"It's getting better," he said. "I'm working hard and these games help.

"You keep working hard on the training field, concentrate on that, and you start feeling the benefits when you start playing."