Toon loan signing Lazaro proud to prove his strength is in the attack

Valentino Lazaro was happy to have the ball at his feet on his return to Newcastle United’s starting XI.

The winger, signed on loan from Inter Milan in January, scored in Tuesday night’s 3-2 FA Cup win over West Bromwich Albion.

Lazaro had missed the weekend’s Premier League game against Burnley through suspension, after getting sent off against Crystal

Palace last month.

The 23-year-old, previously fielded as a wing-back by head coach Steve Bruce, played on the right side of United’s attack, his natural position, at The Hawthorns.

And Lazaro said: “I’ve always said my strengths are in the attack, but in the last two or three years, I’ve learnt a lot defensively as well.

“Of course, I’m better with the ball at my feet or going forward. “I’m happy I got to play that position, and if I can help the team, that makes me even more proud.”

*Rotherham United loan man Dan Barlaser will NOT miss the rest of the League One campaign – and may even return within a fortnight.

Fears the Newcastle United midfielder, who has formed an integral part of the Millers’ midfield in a push for third-tier automatic promotion, could be sidelined until the summer have been allayed by manager Paul Warne.

Barlaser was stretchered off with an ankle injury amid worrying scenes following lengthy medical treatment in the club's recent top-of-thetable game at Coventry City on February 25.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Post, Warne said: "Dan Barlaser

looks like he's got the all-clear, which is good. He'll be back training towards the back end of this week, or start of next.”

Meanwhile, Newcastle have again been linked by reports in Turkey with a move for Norway international frontman Alexander Sorloth.

The striker has netted 25 goals in a loan spell at Turkish outfit Trabzonspor from Premier League Crystal Palace.

And finally, Pep Guardiola fears another ‘struggle’ when Manchester City travel to Newcastle in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

"We don't play to be champions but to retain the second position and play good in the finals that we have in the FA Cup and the Champions League,” he said.

"So, now, we're going to travel to Newcastle and in the last years we struggled.”