Lazaar ‘will work as hard as he can’

ACHRAF Lazaar has poured his heart out after finding himself relegated to the reserves at Newcastle.

The Morocco international finds himself back at the club after a move to Genoa on deadline day failed.

He has been training with the second string since July but has returned to the pitch to provide three assists in two matches, one of them coming in front of a watching Benitez.

The left-sided player told Calciomercato.com: “It’s not a good moment for me, I arrived at Newcastle to show what I can do and to improve but things are going differently.

“Honestly, I am very sorry but I accept this situation, I am training with the second team and I play in the reserve championship.

“I delivered three assists in the last two games and the coach and his staff are really helping me.

“Sometimes I train on my own after the end of training sessions to improve my level, that’s the only thing I can do if I want to improve because I am not playing Premier League games.”

Lazaar is yet to hold face to face talks with Benitez.

He said: “I spoke with my teammates, they say he is fine. I am sorry the team is not doing well especially because a lot of my team-mates would like me to be part of the team.

“I usually speak with them but the only thing I can do is accept the situation.

“I had other expectations when I arrived here but, as I said, Benitez has made a decision and I respect it.

“Now it’s up to me. I have to convince him. Being out from a manager’s plans is a new situation for me.

“Other managers used to tell me that I have the qualities to play in a big team, but with Benitez is not the same. I will work as hard as I can, doing my best to return to the team.”