Les Ferdinand : “There is a saying: ‘Form is temporary and class is permanent’. I think that applies to Sol in a big way.
“I played with Sol when he was 24 or 25 and he is just a class act.
“It was a great signing for Newcastle and he will prove that over the course of the season now he is fully fit and looks ready.
“It did not surprise me he came on against Manchester City and did so well.
“I know people were saying he was a little bit overweight when he came in, but he looks the part now.
“There were those pictures which people probably saw and made their own judgements.
“Sol was between clubs, he was getting married and he had other issues going on in his life, so it was really not the end of the world if he was not quite right at that time.
“He went some way to answering those criticisms coming up against one of the best sides in the league in Manchester City and playing the way he did.
“That criticism also neglects the fact Sol is naturally quite a fit guy and he applies himself in the right way. He is a top professional and he does things the right way.
“I played in the Premier League until I was 38.
“Sol can go beyond that – he could play for another four or five years if he wanted to.
“The thing with Sol is if he puts his mind to it then he will succeed.
“Whether he would want to do that, I don’t know, but he has shown his ability consistently for the last 20 years.
“It was a great move for him. I know only too well how fantastic Newcastle are as a club and really Sol could not have chosen a better place – or a better manager – at this stage in his career.
“Is he good enough? I am sure he probably is good enough to represent England again, but Fabio Capello has made it pretty clear he is going to look at youth and plan for the future.
“I would not rule it out if there are injuries or suspensions or there is some kind of crisis.
“You have seen from the call-up of Kevin Davies there is room for someone to come in and do a job on a short-term basis, but looking to the long-term Capello has said he will be looking at younger players.
“The door is not closed to Sol if he starts to put in good performances in the Premier League consistently, though.”