Merino’s keen to step into Shelvey shoes
ONE-TIME BERNABEU STRIKER SAYS TOON WERE ‘BEST OPTION’
MIKEL Merino is ready to step into the breach to replace banned Jonjo Shelvey this weekend.
The Spanish midfielder came on for the last 14 minutes against Tottenham Hotspur but his debut proved to be nothing more than a cameo role during a damage limitation exercise.
The game had by that time written off after Shelvey’s dismissal was quickly followed by the Londoners going 2-0 up at St James’ Park.
Newcastle will now head to Huddersfield Town looking for their first victory, Merino in pole position to partner Isaac Hayden against the Terriers.
When asked if he was in good condition to start the game, Merino told the Chronicle: “I am getting fitter.
“I am trying to get to 100% and stay there. I felt good after the Tottenham game, I am strong and healthy.
“Let’s see, I have had one more week to be ready and to get to 100% and I will be at my perfect capacity soon.”
However, Merino revealed he had no qualms about making an earlier than expected first start in a Newcastle shirt - despite playing just 66 minutes of action for United so far.
He added: “I feel comfortable here because everybody has been helping me.
“Everybody is really kind to me and that helps when you are happy with your team-mates.
“The crowd and the stadium are right behind the players so I am really happy.”
Reflecting on the 2-0 loss against Spurs, he went on: “It was a negative result but we know we deserved more.
“We have to learn from the bad things. We have to learn about the last game and in the next few matches everything is going to go better.
“That is what we have to think about.”
Merino must wait to see if he has done enough to start at the John Smith’s Stadium.
He added: “I want to prove myself, help the team and do everything I can for them.
“The manager will decide who is playing.
“All the other players have to push the team in the right direction and whoever plays will do a job.” Chief Sports Writer NEWCASTLE United new boy Joselu has insisted he can be a threat to Premier League defences after signing a three-year deal with the Magpies.
The £5million striker, now 27, has only managed to reach double figures in a season once in his career so far and has scored 34 goals in 139 career games.
However, after signing for United Joselu said: “I’m a player who works hard and tries to score a lot of goals as well.
“My movement is good in the area and I try to help the club a lot to win the games, and I want to work hard in training and the games and score goals to win games.”
“I feel like Newcastle were the best option for me and I am looking forward to meeting my team-mates and get to know the training ground, the stadium and all the supporters.
“I’ve learned a lot about this club Joselu because they have a big history in the Premier League. “They have had some big players and I have also played on the PlayStation with this club.” His new boss Rafa Benitez has indicated he has been tracking the player for some time and knows him well through his links at Real Madrid.
Joselu said: “I talked with him and everything is good.
“It was also a good factor for me that the manager is from Spain, for the language, but I am at an English club and I try to talk with everybody in English because it is the language for the country, but it was an important point for the decision.
“I only speak English for two years, but I try to learn at home and my wife speaks English and helps me every day.
“I try to be part of the country as quick as possible.”
And, reflecting on his time at Real