Newcastle United boss Sam Allardyce has been handed a fresh injury headache with Shay Given limping off in their friendly against Sampdoria yesterday.

Allardyce was able to watch with some sense of satisfaction against Sampdoria as two of his summer signings combined to give Newcastle a 1-0 victory on the eve of the new campaign.

Just before the hour mark, Geremi's left-wing corner was perfect for Alan Smith, arriving late and unmarked, to head past Antonio Mirante. It was an impressive debut for the former Manchester United and Leeds forward, who completed his £6m move on Friday.

But Given, the most likely captain for next week's Premiership opener at Bolton, limped off after only 38 minutes with a repeat of the groin problem that so disrupted his campaign last season and will have a scan today.