Allardyce: "I knew more about Albert than I did Obafemi Martins because I have been watching him since he was a young player at Real Mallorca about seven years ago.
Allardyce 'I Know All About Luque'
"He was playing alongside Samuel Eto'o and I remember saying at the time that I would like to sign them both, but they were out of our price range.
"It has been interesting for me to see how they've both developed. It was strange to see Albert at Newcastle and never playing. It has been my job as manager to find out why.
"At the moment I'm just trying to get him fitter. If we can get him fitter, he will feel better physically, then he will feel better mentally and we will see the skills that Albert Luque can produce more often.
"It's up to him if he wants to keep going through the pain barrier as he has been in recent days. When he's fit, it will help his mental situation and the football talent will emerge at the end of it."