I’ll be back in Toon, says Sels

MATZ Sels is refusing to give up on his Newcastle United career – and insists his move to Anderlecht will only be for one season.

However, the Belgian stopper has revealed how grateful he is to the Champions League-bound outfit as he looks to resurrect his career after a disappointing season with the Magpies.

This time last year, Sels was about to complete a £5million move from Gent as Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez shook up his goalkeeper department.

After completing the move Sels said: “I still have the ambitions to break into the Premier League – at Newcastle or another club.

“A season on loan was therefore the best option for me.

“I made the move last season (to Newcastle).

“But I learned a lot and I also became a better keeper than when I left Gent.

“It is true that I did not play much, but that was the manager’s choice Rafa Benitez.

“Still, I do not regret my decision – Newcastle was not a wrong choice.

“I want to leave the past behind me.

“I am glad that I can go on a new challenge at Anderlecht.

“Compared to Newcastle, that’s definitely not a step backwards.”

Sels (below) has denied that agreeing personal terms had been a problem after a delay in both clubs completing the deal.

He said: “It is true that Anderlecht has made a lot of effort for me.

“But the amount of money that has been rounded has been knocked out by the press. “In any case, I wanted to come to Anderlecht and that made it easy to work together financially.” Sels also hopes the move puts him in contention to be one of the three goalkeepers heading to the World Cup in Russia with Belgium.

He said: “In view of the World Cup, it is important that I push for my level.

“If I perform here, the rest will come.”