By Matthew Jones
June 26 2002

Sunderland's Phil Babb has cranked up the pressure on his manager - by admitting Newcastle have signed a gem in Hugo Viana. Black Cats fans are growing increasingly frustrated at Peter Reid's lack of transfer activity this summer. Sunderland's Phil Babb has cranked up the pressure on his manager - by admitting Newcastle have signed a gem in Hugo Viana.

Black Cats fans are growing increasingly frustrated at Peter Reid's lack of transfer activity this summer. And the Wearside faithful can be forgiven for casting envious glances to Tyneside at the £8.5million arrival of Viana last week - a world record for a teenager.

Now free-transfer Babb has unintentionally inflamed the situation by insisting that the 19-year-old he played alongside at Sporting Lisbon last season is worth every penny.

"I was stunned to discover Hugo has signed for Newcastle, but I'm delighted for him - he has the world at his feet," said the former Coventry and Liverpool stopper.

"People say £8.5million is a lot for a 19-year-old, but, although he is not the finished article, he has already broken into the Portugal side.

"He has great vision and can shoot with either foot - like all Portuguese players, his technique is spot on."