Roeder told the Sunday Sun: “What no one can say, and I would argue this with anybody, is that I have not given Albert opportunities.
“He’s played in European games, he’s played in other games, so I will not be accused of not giving him opportunities.
“But I’ve got to pick what I consider is the best team for Newcastle on the day.”
Roeder added: “Unless something happens very quickly, Albert will be here after the transfer window shuts, and he’s got to get his head down.
“He’s been here long enough now to know that the Premiership is very physical. He has to rise to that physical challenge, and he has to do that every day in training.
“If you train sloppily, you play sloppily. Technical ability alone will not get you through the Premiership.
“Surely he wants to play football. He just has to come to terms with the game here. Only he can do that.”
