'Spy In The Camp Mackem' Could Have Been A Geordie!

The 30-year-old full-back spent four seasons with the Australian striker at Leeds before heading off to Spain.

Robson had one concern about Harte ... he questioned his pace on recovery ... and that was probably why the transfer fee was always a problem.

Perhaps that should be a point of note for Allardyce when he picks his team on Saturday.

Harte: "It is quite possible he will play, so I will speak with the lads tomorrow.

"A player like him, you cannot try to fight him, you cannot try to wrestle him because he is so strong.

"If you do that, he is the only one who will win the ball. You just have to try to read it and get as tight as you can because he is a quality player.

"If you give him half a chance and he will stick it in the back of the goal.

"Newcastle have got a big squad and some very good players.

"Whether it is Michel Owen who is playing or Obafemi Martins up front, you have to be careful of the ball in behind because they are lightning quick.

"But there are players like Alan Smith and James Milner, who I played with as well.

"It is going to be a great game, but with us playing at home and 48,000 fans backing us, hopefully they can be the 12th man and get behind us and spur us on to getting those three points we desperately need."