AFTER being applauded back on to the training field by team-mates, Newcastle winger Nolberto Solano has declared himself fit and ready to take on Sunderland on Sunday.

Solano has yet to make his second debut for the club following his deadline day switch from Aston Villa becase of a niggling thigh strain.

But the Peruvian left-midfielder is back in full training and his first session with the squad was greeted with cheers and claps as he entered the training field.

The return to the fold means he will go straight into the squad for Sunday's match at St James' Park, although he may have to settle for a place on the bench.

But the £1.5m purchase from Villa Park is just relieved to be back in the thick of things and is looking forward to his first game back in a black and white shirt.

"It has been frustrating not playing from the beginning when I signed. First I was suspended then I had a small tear and that took longer than I had hoped to heal," said Solano. "That is now history, I am training and hope to be OK for selection against Sunderland."

If the 30-year-old plays some part on Sunday he will hope to enjoy a repeat of the impact he had on the last meeting between the two clubs.

In April 2003 Newcastle won at the Stadium of Light and Solano scored the winning penalty, during a campaign that resulted in the Black Cats losing Premiership status.

But Solano has more than personal reasons for wanting to be involved as soon as possible - he is keen to see Newcastle react positively from the weekend defeat to Wigan and climb back up the table.

"It will be a fantastic occasion to come back for. I am looking forward to it and it is important we get three points," Solano told the club's official website. "It is special for the fans but we just need to pick up points if we want to finish in the top four. We are quite far away from that at the moment.

"All the time you feel pressure in football. We need to pick up points and win three four or five in a row and get back up there. We need to win this game first because we cannot afford to drop many more points."

Newcastle boss Graeme Souness feels he is finally beginning to see a turnaround in fortunes on the injury front, with Solano set to join Emre back in the first team plans.

Lee Bowyer is also expected to be available on Sunday after fears serious damage had been done to his knee at Wigan were allayed.

But whoever plays against Sunderland, Souness is demanding improvement. "I have not watched the Wigan game again because it will make my head boil," he said.

"We have waited a long time to see Nobby back.

"There has not been too much wrong at the back but going forward we are not creating stuff that I want.

"The obvious reason is we have had Nobby, Kieron Dyer and Albert Luque all missing."

* The FA have announced Chelsea's Michael Essien will face no further action over his tackle on Tal Ben Haim during the game with Bolton on Saturday.

Referee Rob Styles issued Essien with a yellow card at the time and agreed to review the incident.

l Brian Kerr's reign as Republic of Ireland manager is over as the Football Association of Ireland have opted not to renew his contract

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