Duff back in training

Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce breathed a huge sigh of relief when Damien Duff started training again after 7 months of injury. He injured his left foot last season and had 2 operations to try and help ease the problem. It was thought that the injury could force the quiet Dubliner to retire but fingers crossed he comes back to his best.

A fit and hungry Duff is exactly what the new Republic of Ireland manager would thrive it would be like a decent transfer.

Newcastle manager Sam Allardyce told the clubs website

"It's great to see Damien back in training. He is just starting to join in with the players, and there will be a period of time when he gets used to training on a day-to-day basis.

"He'll have to get used to the physical contact first of all, and from there we'll take it into a reserve match. We hope we'll have him back to the sort of level we know he can play at as quickly as possible.

"We're looking forward to having him back in the first-team squad, because Damien is a player of undoubted class who can play a big part for us this season."