Bobby Robson today hailed "the great attitude" of Nikos Dabizas ahead of tomorrow's trip to Fulham.

Dabizas was part of a Greek side defeated 2-1 by Cyprus in a Wednesday night friendly - but the centre-half shrugged off the embarrassing defeat to ensure he was back on Tyneside for training this morning.

The commitment displayed by the 28-year-old clearly delighted Robson, who said: "Nikos arrived back looking tired having played two matches for Greece.

"But he was on the 6am flight yesterday morning to get here for training, even though he'd played the night before. He was back for training at 11am, now isn't that a great character?

"He's shown a great attitude and he is only to be complimented. He's looking a little tired, so we'll see how he is for tomorrow."

Meanwhile, Nolberto Solano returned unscathed from playing in the Diego Maradona testimonial, but Robson has a doubt over fellow South American midfielder Clarence Acuna, who returned from Chile with a slight temperature.

Robert Lee is still suffering from his recent back complaint, though Robson expects the 35-yeard-old to be fit.

Definitely out is Wayne Quinn, who faces between two and three weeks on the sidelines with a slight thigh strain.

Meanwhile, Aaron Hughes is in line to make this 100th start for the Magpies, with Robson adding: "Aaron can play anywhere across the back for us.

"He's such an intelligent defender, he's multi-purpose, he's multi-functional, he's very adaptable and he's priceless to us."

NUFC.co.uk