FAUSTINO ASPRILLA last night responded to the threat posed by his club's new signing, Alan Shearer, to his Newcastle future by scoring in United's 2-1 victory over a Thailand national XI in Bangkok.
Asprilla, a £7.5 million purchase from Parma last February, netted an equaliser just before half time after Kevin Keegan's side had suffered the shock of conceding an early goal in the first match of their Far East tour.
England midfielder Robert Lee grabbed the second half winner, but Newcastle were given a scare when winger David Ginola was forced to come off with a "dead leg" and was replaced by Keith Gillespie.
Newcastle, who had Pavel Srnicek in goal, adopted a three man defence of Steve Howey, Darren Peacock and Philippe Albert, with Keegan choosing not to play his usual wing back system.
Instead he opted for Steve Watson behind a four man midfield of Ginola, Lee, David Batty and Peter Beardsley, with Asprilla and Les Ferdinand up front.
Newcastle fly to Singapore today, when they will meet up with new recruit Shearer for the first time before playing the second match of their tour on Thursday.
