Recalled defender playing Fer keeps
FEDERICO Fernandez says he is determined to hold onto his place in the Newcastle United first team after a “difficult” start to the season.
The former Argentina international made his first league start of the campaign in the 1-1 draw with Wolves and popped up with an assist for Jamaal Lascelles’ goal.
Even though head coach Steve Bruce has experimented with defensive combinations, Fernandez has been limited for opportunities, with captain Lascelles, Swiss international Fabian Schär, Paul Dummett and Ireland ace Ciaran Clark all vying for three spots.
But with Schär out injured, Bruce picked former Swansea defender Fernandez to fill in, rather than Wales international Dummett.
And now the South American defender hopes to keep his place in the side for the weekend visit to West Ham.
Fernandez said: “The last two months have been quite difficult for me.
“As a player you want to be involved. The last few games I was on the sidelines.
“I just try to keep going and working hard but personally now I feel
I had a decent game
[against
Wolves] and I need t o push on to be in the team.”
Schär is due to return to action soon as is another influential ball-playing defender. Newcastle will hope to have Florian Lejeune back in contention soon but the Frenchman isn’t the only defender pushing for a start with Dummett now on the longest run of his senior career without being involved. Fernandez knows that competition for places is intense, with centre-back an area the Magpies are particularly strong. He said: “I know that the defensive players we have are very good.
“We need to improve in the final third but everybody is doing well.
“It is difficult but you need to push everybody to get in the team.”
Fernandez, 30, was left frustrated by United’s inability to secure all three points against Wolves.
Visiting defender Jonny Otto slammed in an equaliser 17 minutes from time, with midfielder Sean Longstaff sent off in the closing stages as the Magpies held on.
Fernandez said: “It was disappointing, but the first half was very good in terms of keeping the ball. We created chances in front of goal.
“But in the second half was totally different. We didn’t find our best form or keep the ball to go forward so that’s why we are all a bit disappointed.”
He added: “The start of the second half we needed to do better especially at 1-0 up in front of our own fans. We needed to show a little bit more than we did.”
Personally now I feel I had a decent game [against Wolves] and I need to push on to be in the team
Federico Fernandez