Diame up for the fight for a Premiership place
Mo will battle for a first-team slot
MO Diame is ready to fight for his place with Newcastle United this season and prove he can still do the business in the Premier League.
Rafa Benitez has wielded the axe throughout the summer and told a host of first team squad members they are no longer part of his plans at St James' Park.
However, Diame wasn't on Benitez's unwanted list and has been told to get his head down and work his way back into the starting XI.
The 30-year-old Creteil-born midfielder has not played in the Premier League for two years since being part of the Hull City side that were relegated with Steve Bruce at the helm.
But Diame could be recalled to Benitez's team at Huddersfield Town this weekend and make his top flight return.
Diame told the Sunday Sun: “I'm feeling good. I am looking forward to playing on Sunday.
“We had a difficult game last Sunday but it was the only the first one. I think we just need to keep going and do what we have done in pre-season.
“We are building something and building our confidence for the whole season now.”
Diame comes back into consideration after missing out on the squad for the Tottenham Hotspur game due to a knock picked up in training earlier in the month.
The suspension of Jonjo Shelvey means he is vying for a place in the starting XI alongside the likes of Mikel Merino and Siem De Jong.
Diame said: “The competition for places has always been there.
“It will be the same for us this year, there is competition all the time.
“We have to fight places in the team.”
United lost 2-0 to Spurs last weekend but managed to give Mauricio Pochettino's side a run for their money until Jonjo Shelvey was shown the red card for a stamp on Dele Alli.
Diame says that Newcastle must get prepared for a tough season ahead.
He went on: “Every game is difficult. We can see that even the top six lose games in this for our division. Anybody can beat anybody and this is going to be a difficult season for everyone.
“Every game is important whether it's away or at home.
“We need to keep our shape and make sure we don't concede goals.
“When we do have the ball we must take our chances.
“It's all about confidence and team spirit.
“We need to fight this year, that's it.”
Newcastle prepared for their encounter at the John Smith's Stadium by training in front of a crowd of 12,000 fans at St James' Park.
Diame enjoyed the day and reflected: “It was nice because a lot of kids turned up and we can make them happy.
“They can see us and see how we train too.
“We enjoyed the day too as it's a great experience.”
N o w , though, it's all eyes on Huddersfield for t h e l u n c h - t i m e kick-off as Newcastle prepare to tackle one of their promotion rivals season.
Diame said: “We played them last year and we know they're a good team.
“We have done a job with the staff and looked at the video to make sure we can do good things on Sunday.
“But we're going for the three points of course.” from l a s t