Shane Ferguson hoping to make Newcastle impact after overcoming injury

The Northern Irishman praises Magpies manager Alan Pardew for showing faith in him and underlines his desire to get back to his best after a difficult period on the sidelines

Newcastle winger Shane Ferguson is hoping to force himself into Alan Pardew's team on a permanent basis after an injury-hit build-up to the new Premier League campaign.

The Northern Irishman missed the entirety of the Magpies' pre-season build-up through a series of niggles but has since made four top-flight appearances, now hoping to continue that run by catching up to his team-mates' fitness levels.

"I was injured at the start of pre-season and it's hard to get back," Ferguson told the Shields Gazette.

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"Pre-season's a bad time to get injured – you have to catch up with everyone. Thankfully, I'm getting fitter and stronger. I'm in the gym every day doing stuff with the fitness coaches. I just have to keep working hard now.

"That's what the manager wants me to do – stay fit and keep working hard in the gym.

"I'm doing all the extra stuff and I've just got to make an impact whenever I get the chance."

The Derry-born attacker has notched three assists in all competitions so far and says that he is keen to carry on repaying manager Pardew's confidence in him.

"The manager's got a lot of faith in me and I appreciate that loads," Ferguson added. "It's great he plays a lot of youngsters – he's got a lot of faith in the young lads.

"All the lads can show what they can do [in the Europa League] and it's great to see."