Pancrate on debut standby
NEW boy Fabrice Pancrate is on standby to make his Newcastle United debut against Swansea City.
Boss Chris Hughton will have no qualms about handing the 29-year-old a first appearance at St James's Park on Saturday.
Pancrate – signed over the weekend as a free agent – was an unused substitute for Monday night's 1-0 win over Preston North End at Deepdale.
With Newcastle having a couple of injury concerns, his addition to his squad is timely.
And Hughton, while acknowledging he needs games, has no concerns about the fitness of the former Paris Saint-Germain winger, pictured, who impressed on a two-week trial at United.
"Pancrate comes into the reckoning for Swansea," said Hughton.
"We only just got his registration through on Monday morning, but he had spent some time before the game getting to the know the lads at the hotel.
"That will do his confidence good, because he's already seen what a close-knit group of lads we've got here, and he's already becoming part of that.
"We've got Saturday's game with Swansea coming up very quickly, and a lot of games in the next few weeks, so I'm certain he will be involved very soon."He's ready to play now because his all-round fitness was good when he arrived due to the pre-season training he had with Paris St Germain."
Pancrate – who had also interested Portsmouth, Burnley and Sheffield United – has spoken about the move.
"I am very happy," he said. "Newcastle is a very great club with wonderful facilities and amazing fans.
"I thank PSG for letting me have training sessions with the reserves during the past four months."
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Weather for South Shields
Tuesday 07 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: -2 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South
