Newcastle United signing Sol Campbell is going on a crash diet to drop the spare tire he has picked up during the offseason.
The Sunday Mirror says the 73-cap England international turned up for his first training session at Newcastle with his famous muscular six-pack looking decidedly like a paunch.
He put on the weight this summer in the build-up to his July marriage to interior designer Fiona Barrett.
One Magpies website, Newcastle United Mad, declared: "Chris Hughton says he does not think new signing Sol Campbell will start against PSV on Saturday. Judging by the belly on the man, he won't be match fit till Christmas!"
Newcastle boss Hughton did leave out Campbell for yesterday's friendly with PSV Eindhoven admitting it would be a "risk" to play the central defender, who is nowhere near match fitness.
Hughton said: "I can guarantee that having seen Sol in training he is in good shape.
"The important thing with Sol is that we have him fit. When you play someone too early and they are not conditioned there is the risk of injury. I am very hopeful he can play some part against Rangers next Saturday. The judgment call we have to make is when he will be ready for Premier League football."
