Defenders
No. 2 Warren Barton
Age. 29
Country. England
International Caps. 5 caps 0 goals
A former none league player who got his chance at Wimbledon before signing for Newcastle. The fee at the time of £4 million was a record for a defender. Normally a right back or ' wing back ' Barton has recently been used by Dalglish in a midfield capacity. Like most players who leave Wimbledon Barton has looked less of the player he was at London club. Barton looks likely to be used as a sub this season.
No. 4 Didier Domi
Age. 20
Country. France
International Caps. under '21 caps
Ruud Gullits seond signing for Newcastle was a unknown in England and had not even been able to get into the Paris Saint Germain team before his £3.25 million move to Newcastle. On his debut in the defeat by Chelsea he showed that he has plenty of pace and has good ability with the ball at his feet however his defensive qualitys are yet to be seen as with most modern full backs. But as he is so young this should prove to a be a very good signing by Newcastle I only hope he doesn't do a runner to Italy when his reputaion increases.
No. 6 Steve Howey
Age. 26
Country. England
International Caps. 4 caps 0 goals
Since Euro '96 Steve Howey has been ravaged by injurys mainly a calf injury which saw parts of the muscle on his calfs to be removed so he could move easier. A product of the youth system Howey started out as a centre forward before being moved to defence by former manager Ossie Ardiles. After a successful comeback at the end of this season he faces a uphill battle to try and get back in the England squad. Howey has made a few good performances in pre-season.
No. 3 Stuart Pearce
Age. 36
Country. England
International Caps. 76 caps 2 goals
' Pyscho ' arrived on a free transfer from Nottingham Forest after 12 years at the club. Upon his arrival Pearce tightened up the Newcastle defence playing more central than in his famed left back position. At the time Peace signed for Newcastle he was the clubs most capped player. Unfortunatly he will not be adding to them as he has been left out of Glenn Hoddles future plans.
No. 5 Alessandro Pistone
Age. 23
Country. Italy
International Caps. Under 21 captain
Pistone arrived in the summer for £4.3 million from Inter Milan, Pistone was once tipped as the new Maldini and was one of the reasons Inter sold Roberto Carlos to Madrid so it was a surprise when he was sold. Inter however do have the option to buy him back when his current contract expires. Pistone has worked hard and shown glimpses of what he is capable of but has been a disapointment so far, Pistone seems to rely to much on his pace and players get round the back of him too easily.
No. 27 Philipe Albert
Age. 31
Country. Belgium
International Caps. 37 caps 3 goals
Signed after a succesful world cup in the US on his 27 birthday hence the shirt number. Albert has recently retired from international football. He was signed from Anderlecht in 1994 for a fee of £2.7 million. Albert became an instant favorite with the crowd due to his tendancy to go forward frequently. He has perhaps lost a bit of what pace he had after his knee injury but is still strong in the air.
No. 28 Aaron Hughes
Age. 19
Country. N. Ireland
International Caps. 1 cap 0 goals
A young defender signed up by Kevin Keegan after a trip to Ireland. Made his senior debut in the Nou Camp against Barcelona in the Champions League, and has since made a few more appearence at only 19 he has shown a lot of composure and is a player for the future.
No. 38 Andrew Griffin
Age. 18
Country. England
International Caps. none
The star of Stoke city and at the ripe old age of 18. Signed for Newcastle at the same time as Gary Speed for an initial fee of £1.5 million which will increase by £750,000 based on appearence and if he makes the England team. Looks set to battle for a palce with Carl Serrant.
No. 34 Nikolas Dabizas
Age. 24
Country. Greece
International Caps. 23 casp 2 goals
Made an instant impact after coming on as a substitute and ' getting stuck straight in ' the international can either play in defendce or midfield. Signed from Olympiakos for £2 million is very comfortable with the ball at his feet, and looks like becoming a crowd favorite at St James. Most Newcastle fans think he is Dalglish's best signing for the club.
No. 30 Patrick Kelly
Age. 20
Country. Scotland
International Caps. none
An attacking left sided defender who can also do a capable job in midfield. Brought in by Tommy Burns when he was at Newcastle from his old club Celtic for a free.
No. 31 Stuart Elliott
Age. 20
Country. England
International Caps. none
A tough hard working centre half who has yet to break into the first team. He captained the reserves last season when they were promoted to the Pontins 2nd division. Kelly almost moved to Wrexham this season
No. 21 Carl Serrant
Age. 22
Country. England
International Caps. 1 B' cap
Highly promising left back tipped by most to become Englands next full back. Serrant broke into the England setup last season getting a place in the B team. He cost Newcastle £500,000 from Oldham after spending 6 years at the midland club, and can play at either full back, centre half or wing back.
No. 16 Laurent Charvet
Age. 25
Country. France
International Caps. none
Signed from Cannes for a cut price of £520,00. After going on loan for Chelsea last season he impressed Kenny Dalglish when playing against Newcastle at St James. Charvet is a versatile player who can play in defence or as a winger. He is also a close friend of new signing Stephane Guivarc'h. He has looked very impressive in pre-season.
No. ? Didier Domi
Age. 20
Country. France
International Caps. Under '21
This Highly rated defender was Ruud Gullit's second signing for Newcastle from Paris St Germain costing the club an initial £3.25 million with a further £750,000 depending on how many appearences he makes. A highly versatile player Domi can play anywhere across the back but is mainly used in the 'wing back' role. At only 20 years of age Domi is a good prospect for the future at St James Park
