The recruitment of Nicky Butt has added steel in central midfield, but his pursuit of a right-back is ongoing with Benfica’s Miguel at the head of his wish-list, and there is a worrying lack of cover for the injury-plagued Jonathan Woodgate, Andy O’Brien and Titus Bramble.

Bellamy, who will fight it out with skipper Alan Shearer, Kluivert and Shola Ameobi for a place up front this season, staked his claim with a goal in Saturday’s 4-2 victory over Rangers, but admitted that the defensive concerns remain largely untouched.

“I think our attacking football has improved across the board and we have looked good in the final third in pre-season,” he said. “On top of that, we have actually strengthened in that area.

“We know where our problem is and we don’t seem to have done anything about it. We need to improve all over the pitch because, against a team like Rangers, you can’t afford to concede two goals. We can’t be relying on scoring four goals every game.

“The defenders we have are all good quality players, but perhaps we are too attacking and we need to address that. We have got a good blend but there are a lot of things we still need to improve upon.”

Bellamy and his team-mates – although again without Woodgate and O’Brien, who are among nine men struggling with injury or illness – will continue their preparations with a friendly at Celtic tonight.

One of those looking to impress will be midfielder Kieron Dyer, who turned in a high-octane display against the Bhoys’ arch-rivals and finally got his reward with a late goal after earlier passing up several opportunities.

“Kieron’s finishing is part of his game which is always criticised and rightly so because, for a player of his ability, he just doesn’t score enough goals,” Bellamy told the Newcastle Journal. “He just needs a few more like the one he tucked away against Rangers.

“Since he returned from England duty, Kieron has been superb and his contribution has lifted me and helped me to reach a new level.

“I heard on the radio that people were talking about Jonathan Greening’s contribution at Middlesbrough and were trying to say that he’s the same kind of player as Kieron; but he couldn’t lace that boy’s boots.

“Kieron is just exceptional and, when he is fully fit, his should be the first name on the Newcastle team-sheet every day of the week. He is showing his critics in pre-season just how talented he really is.”