Joey Barton

Newcastle new boys Joey Barton and David Rozehnal are settling in well after their trip to Austria.

The 24-year-old former Manchester City midfielder and the Czech international defender, 27, got to know their Magpies team-mates during a training camp at Stegersbach.

Sam Allardyce’s players are due back to work on Friday after being given a couple of days off following their exertions on the continent with another recruit, Geremi, and triallist Aldo Duscher due to join them.

Allardyce was delighted with the way Barton and Rozehnal fitted in as he sets about establishing a new ethos at St James’ Park.

He said: “Joey and David seemed to fit in very well. I think they are probably two opposites – Joey likes to do a lot of talking and David keeps himself to himself – but they mingled well in the end.

“The lads have helped them settle and that was important. They have taken them into the fold and everyone got on well together.”

Allardyce took a break from the training camp in what proved an unsuccessful bid to clinch a deal for Marseille defender Habib Beye as he continues to re-shape his squad.

However, he is confident he and his staff have got to know the players a little better and started to establish the relationships they will need to bring success to the club.

He told Newcastle’s official website: “The whole staff got to know each other better.

“The players had a bit of fun among themselves and we had a bit of fun with the staff five-a-side, and the lads had a good laugh at us.

“That was good for the morale of the club building up to this season.”

The Magpies begin their pre-season fixtures with the short trip to League One neighbours Hartlepool next Tuesday and entertain Scottish champions Celtic nine days later.

Allardyce will hope to have further new faces on board by then, and one of them could be Deportivo la Coruna midfielder Duscher.

The 28-year-old, who famously fractured then Manchester United midfielder David Beckham’s metatarsal with a rash challenge ahead of the 2002 World Cup finals, has arrived on Tyneside for a trial after his contract with the Spanish club Deportivo expired.

Deportivo are hopeful he will agree a new deal, but Newcastle could tempt a player dubbed “the butcher” by fans with the offer of a chance to play in the Barclays Premier League.