Despite a start in the side that won at Stamford Bridge in the Carling Cup (in what was very much a reserve side), the experienced 36-year-old is still waiting to break into the team.
Some suggest Chris Hughton is making him wait because the defender didn't put in the effort in pre-season at a time he knew he was moving to Newcastle.
The photos of the over-weight player in training told its own story, and Hughton is still not convinced Campbell is any better than the players in the team.
Mike Williamson: "No I don't see Sol as a threat, not one bit, I looked on his transfer as a massive opportunity.
"He is a player I have always admired and looked at from afar through his career, and I just thought what an amazing opportunity it was to learn from such a character day in, day out.
"I just thought it was a great opportunity because I am still learning my trade and trying to ply it at the top level, and it's a good thing for me.
"Coming to a club like Newcastle, you are never going to be handed the shirt - there is always going to be competition, and I know that.
"That's healthy, that's part of why you want to test yourself against the best players.
"It's everything about him day to day, the way he handles himself in training, the communication, how he talks, how he organises.
"He is a very domineering character and people listen to him because of his experience - he has got 70-odd England caps under his belt.
"Against Chelsea, I just sat and watched him play and took little tips about how he organised the players around him, because he is so good at that."