Allardyce hails high quality defender

Newcastle United manager Sam Allardyce backs free signing Claudio Cacapa to succeed on Tyneside.



The 31-year-old Brazilian arrived at St James' Park from Lyon on a free transfer as something of an unknown quantity in this country.

However, Allardyce is confident his pedigree can help bring success to the club.

He said: "Claudio is a quality player. When we signed him, because he was on a free, everybody wondered who he was.

"But he is probably one of the most decorated players at this club.

"He has probably won more at Lyon than most players here - five titles on the trot and captain of the club, and he has played in the Champions League.

"That means he is a very experienced and high-quality defender who we hope will now begin to show those qualities with Newcastle United."

increased drastically

Cacapa impressed as a substitute in the 2-2 Barclays Premier League draw at Middlesbrough on Sunday.

The 52-year-old was already searching for defenders before the closure of the transfer window, but his need increased drastically at the weekend when Peter Ramage sustained cruciate ligament damage and Stephen Carr tore a hamstring.

Abdoulaye Faye could finally complete his £2million move from Bolton Wanderers within the next 24 hours, but Allardyce is hopeful of bringing in two players before Friday's deadline.