Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has no doubts that striker Xisco has a future at the club.
The Spaniard has been included in the Magpies' Europa League squad to face Club Brugge on Thursday having spent the whole of last season on loan at Deportivo la Coruna.
While many felt that the 26-year-old's days at St James' Park were numbered, Pardew is adamant that Xisco will be given a fair chance to prove himself at the club.
"He's worked hard and we feel he's contributed to the group, therefore we've included him on this trip," said Pardew. "Hopefully, the future for Xisco is a return to playing. Like all players, he wants to play.
"He hasn't really done anything wrong apart from not reach the level of the first team since he's been here. I've tried to give him some direction and hope that he can forward his career. He's a well-liked player in the group. I don't know how much pain he's gone through because I haven't really sat down and gone through that. My purpose at this football club is to try to get the best out of every individual and I'm trying to do that with him.
"I'm still not sure whether he's going to be involved but I wanted to bring him back into the group so he felt part of it. He causes us no problems and gets on with his work, and we're trying to help him."
Xisco joined Newcastle in 2008 for £6m.
Matt Cotton
