The trip to the Austrian "boot camp" for Newcastle's first team was never going to be all "sweat and toil". More a "getting to know you" for the new players and managerial staff. And Big Sam says everyone is "United".

Everyone allegedly gained from the week-long stint in Austria, although it didn't sort out the future of Michael Owen, Oba Martins or Charles N'Zogbia.

Although, if it did, no-one was going to talk about it to the likes of us.

Allardyce: "It was good to take the lads away to Austria. It was a very good exercise for us out there and not just for the new lads but for everyone involved at the club.