http://www.nufc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10278~1071512,00.htmlBig Sam Back In Toon
By Craig Hope
SAM Allardyce is back at St.James' Park and continuing his preparations for next season having spent a week in Austria getting to know his Newcastle United squad.
The Toon players enjoyed a seven-day training camp in the eastern resort of Stegersbach as Big Sam set about implementing his ideas and techniques ahead of the Premiership kick-off at Bolton on August 11.
Before then the black and whites travel to Hartlepool for their first pre-season fixture on Tuesday, a game which will mark Allardyce's debut in the Toon dugout.
And the 52-year-old told nufc.co.uk: "It was good to take the lads away to Austria.
"It was a very good exercise for us out there and not just for the new lads but for everyone involved at the club.
"We wanted everyone here to spend some time together.
"Now the boys are back in Newcastle and we will be looking to take things on again.
"In the next couple of days that's what we'll be doing, and then it will be time for our game against Hartlepool in our first friendly of the season.
"All the lads are looking forward to it."
The United players return to the club's Benton-based training ground on Friday, with fixtures against Hartlepool, Carlisle, Celtic, Juventus, Hull City and Sampdoria all to come before the trip to the Reebok Stadium.
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