Kluivert makes fitness pledge

Newcastle striker Patrick Kluivert has vowed to be fighting fit for his side’s Barclays Premiership opener against Middlesbrough.

The 28-year-old Dutchman made his long-awaited debut for the Magpies as a substitute in yesterday’s Newcastle Gateshead Cup final defeat by Sporting Lisbon and might have claimed a late equaliser had it not been for Anderson Polga’s goal-line clearance.