The defender was a surprise omission from Kevin Keegan's squad for Newcastle's two Mallorca Summer Cup fixtures, amid talk of interest in the 30-year-old from Blackburn Rovers and Everton.

But Keegan insists Faye, pictured, like striker Michael Owen, was simply left behind to work on his fitness, as he has suffered a "slight calf strain".

He told the Gazette: "We took the view, the same as we did with Michael, that some players would benefit from coming with us, and others would benefit from being at home and doing the programmes which have been set there.

"They're in facilities that we own, and that we can dictate.

"Out here, you're always trying to find gyms and stuff like that, and services which probably aren't as good as what we've got back home."

Mark Viduka – on his way back from an Achilles problem – is also working on a fitness programme at United's Benton HQ.

Keegan added: "Obviously we knew (Mark) Viduka wouldn't be ready, and Michael's the same.

"He's now doing his fitness training in this week.

"He's putting in the work he's missed in the last two weeks."

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