Steve Bruce says Newcastle have taken a 'bit of a gamble' after signing a 23-year-old former bricklayer who is a friend of star player Allan Saint-Maximin.
The Magpies boss insists Florent Indalecio has not been given a contract simply because of his relationship with the winger, who brought him over for a trial during the summer.
The French striker was kicked out by St Etienne at 15 because of poor behaviour and moved to Australia last year, where he worked on a building site while playing fourth-tier football. He has also beaten a cancerous tumour in his knee.