Carr, signed from Tottenham this week, said: “I’m fit enough for selection if the manager needs me at Middlesbrough on Saturday.

“I have been sitting around for a couple of days since I came up to Newcastle on Monday and while the rest of the first-team squad had a day off yesterday I trained with our young boys at the academy.

“I had a good work-out and my match fitness is not too bad as it was only last Tuesday that I played a half with Spurs in a friendly in Seville.”

Spurs were reluctant to lose their skipper but Carr added: “Once everything was agreed between the two clubs I was hoping and praying that I would become a Newcastle United player.

“I’m very excited about the prospect and now it’s up to me. This is a new and big challenge for me and one of the main reasons I have come here is to win things, which I’m sure I will.”

The Newcastle players changed at home and in their cars before reporting for training and they will do the same tomorrow.

Despite having five players down with conjunctivitis, the Premier League have instructed Newcastle to travel to the Riverside Stadium on Saturday.

In addition to the outbreak, Robson has injury concerns over Kieron Dyer, Titus Bramble, Shola Ameobi and Steven Taylor.

Middlesbrough-born Jonathan Woodgate must already be considered a definite non-starter as he continues to struggle with the thigh injury he first sustained towards the end of last season.