Full time: Hull 1 Newcastle 0

Sam said:

"We couldn’t take the team down to Hull we wanted to because of all these niggling problems that we’ve got at this stage of the season.

“We’re very disappointed with the number of injuries we’ve got - the players’ tolerance levels are still very, very low. I warned everybody about that before I came. They were deconditioned to a point, and it’s been proven.

“We’re trying to change them two sessions a day, which is what any club needs to be getting in at this stage of the season.

“We’re giving them three sessions a day in rehab terms to get them over their injuries and get them as fit as we possibly can.”

“Even if Owen and Ameobi are fit it’s going to be extremely difficult to play both of them to start with.

“Obviously Mark Viduka’s with us. There shouldn’t be much wrong with his match fitness after playing in the Asian Cup in extremely tough conditions.

On playing the youngsters:

""I felt like a grandad when I was looking at their faces, but was a great experience for them.

"In the end, there were a lot of very excited Academy boys, who along with their mums and dads will go home extremely thrilled by having played in Newcastle's first-team at such a tender age.

"We couldn't take the team we wanted to Hull because of all the niggling problems.

"We're trying to change that and we're giving them three sessions a day in rehab terms to get them over their injuries and get them as fit as we possibly can."

Steve Harper added:

"It was a good chance for some of the younger lads. The likes of Darren Lough have been handed the chance to come in and play in the last few games which they would not have had if everyone was fit and they have done themselves proud."

Sand dancer Phil Brown commented:

"I think I learned that we are getting fitter, stronger and better prepared mentally.

"We played some good football on the night, but again it means absolutely nothing because all that matters is August 11th. But if we play like we did last night, it will give us a better chance of getting a good start and a good result.

"The players have come through another 90 minutes of work and there were no injuries reported. Those are two massive positives.

"I think the new lads have settled in quite well. It was a good performance and I thought the engine room was the midfield.

"They passed the ball well, provided energy and provided support for the front men. We tried a couple of systems, one in the first half and one in the second.

"Both systems caused Newcastle problems to the extent that they changed to a 4-3-3.

"But it was interesting that we conceded a really good chance in the last few minutes. Those are the pictures you want from pre-season, so although we beat a Premiership side, I can take those away with me.

On Allardyce:

'He's ahead of the game and not getting the England job is a similar situation to Brian Clough all those years ago. He was outspoken in the Press, different and ahead of his time.

'Those characteristics you can see in Sam and, for me, he was the favourite ahead of Steve McClaren. Sam's character shouldn't limit his chances.

It's about being honest and that's something Sam is.

'I was a colleague for 10 years. At times it was volatile but, more often than not, it was fun. I don't think we'd have had success without the fun.

'He's taken a different turning and is at one of the biggest clubs in the country. He still has England aspirations but knows he now has to be successful for three, four or five years to go for that. England have a manager and, first of all, Sam must be successful at Newcastle.

'He'll bring a strength of character and will never have a team that lies down or gives up. And now, with financial backing, he'll bring quality in.

'There's no doubt that, with the backing, he'll be the most successful Newcastle manager ever.

'He has injury prevention policies, he'll have one masseur per player and he'll spend everything he has to on a player to get them right. If they're not prepared to go that extra mile on the journey then it might be time for them to move on.

'I'm behind him in terms of size of clubs and money. But I've seen the model work when Bolton were in the Championship and hopefully we can follow suit here at Hull.'