The Senegal international showed only flashes of what he can do against Sporting Kansas last night, but is clearly not 100% match fit.
Ba failed to connect to a Ryan Taylor cross in the first half and was a couple of yards off the pace.
Demba Ba: “For me personally, the main thing is to work as hard as I can as an individual for the team.
“I have to contribute as much as I can.
“It’s not just being focused on scoring goals.
“Everything else must be right as well, and you have to be part of the team.
“If I’m getting into the positions and getting chances, I know I’m doing the right thing.
“I just want to do my job.
“Things have been going very well out here in America, and we are all working hard.
“These are good, competitive games for us to start off with – we aren’t here to have fun.
“We need to train hard, and make sure we win the games as well, even though they’re friendlies.
“Fans in Newcastle have given me a very warm welcome, and I hope that continues.
“I look forward to seeing more of them and the city.
“We’re counting down to the start of the season.”