Magpie Campbell hits out at ‘fat belly’ criticism

NEWCASTLE new boy Sol Campbell has branded criticism of his physical condition as “pathetic” and vowed he will be back to peak fitness “in three or four weeks”.

The 35-year-old former England centre-back was labelled “fat belly” on Magpies’ supporters’ message boards after the publication of a less-than-flattering training photograph over the weekend.

Campbell accepts he has work to do but claims his current state is no cause for concern.

“It’s pathetic,” he told Soccernet. “I had been training for three days – just three days. I am three weeks behind everyone else in pre-season. Don’t they know I have just got married and been on honeymoon?

“I accept that the picture wasn’t flattering, and I do need to catch up on my level of fitness, but the training kit was not very flattering and showed up all sorts of things.

“The truth is that I am now in better shape than when I started off back at Arsenal after a long layoff. I got myself back into shape at Arsenal, and I think I had a reasonably good end half of the season.”

Campbell rejoined the Gunners in January this year having walked out on Notts County last September, and went on to make 11 Barclays Premier League appearances for the north London club in the second half of the 2009/10 season.

“I am a naturally big guy, but I cannot rush my conditioning, otherwise trying too much too quickly could result in injuries,” he added.

“Of course I can understand the manager wants me to be in the side, but the season starts in just two weeks and I really need three to four weeks to get back to peak fitness.

“I’ve seen it all before, done it all before, but that means I also know exactly what to do. I cannot listen to idiots. I know these things cannot be rushed. My message is simple to all the knockers: I am knuckling down and want to play with a great club and a great manager. Then you can judge me.”