Mehdi Abeid could start for Newcastle United after string of injuries

Newcastle United's forgotten man Mehdi Abeid could be in line for a stint in the first team after a spate of early injuries to Alan Pardew's side.

The 22-year-old, who spent last season on loan at Panathinaikos, was unsure if he would still be a Newcastle player this season, but is ready to prove himself in a black and white shirt.

"I didn't know what would be my future," Abeid told the Shields Gazette. "But now it is clearer in my head. I want to keep going that way and show people that I can improve myself here.

"The Premier League is a big league in the world. Playing at that level would be great for me. I have to be patient and I have to work. I got some experience and played a lot of games [on loan], it's a lot of experience for me.

"I grew up as a player and as a man. I want to keep going. I really learnt a lot there. I played a lot. I wanted to play football, and that is what I did. I want to pass another level."

Abeid's fellow midfielder Jack Colback was forced to pull out of the England squad with injury and is a doubt for Newcastle's trip to Southampton.