Pitch promise from Newcastle groundsman

Newcastle have moved to allay any worries about the pitch at St James' Park, declaring it will be in "fantastic" condition for Sunday's Premier League clash with Norwich.

Since the Magpies' last home fixture on September 26, the stadium has been used for three rugby union matches as part of the World Cup, including two in two days last week.

But Newcastle have stressed that deputy head groundsman Andrew Tully and his colleagues have been working since the final one of those - Scotland's victory over Samoa on Saturday - to get the surface back in shape.

And Tully told nufc.co.uk on Monday: "It's good, considering everything we expected from the rugby.

Some onlookers expressed concern at seeing Tully and fellow staff on the pitch during breaks in play in the trio of rugby fixtures.

But he added: "That's just what you've got to do."

Newcastle are currently bottom of the Premier League and still looking for their first top-flight win of the season.