DeAndre Yedlin has not kicked a ball in anger since Steve Bruce took over at Newcastle, but the American defender has recovered from his surgery and closing in on a return.
Explaining the extent of the injury he was suffering with, Yedlin told the official club website how the problem would come and go, with it bothering him at times, and not at others.
The result was “sports hernia surgery” was needed, and although he is now feeling no ill-effects, the recovery took longer than expected due to “scar tissue issues”, which have frustrated the flying full-back.
But Yedlin is training fully again, and will be hoping to earn a recall to the first-team squad, with him facing competition for his place this season.
Yedlin said: “Now, I’m getting closer and closer. It’s just about going out and proving every day what I can do in training, and hopefully getting an opportunity in the games.”
That should have new signing Emil Krafth concerned, as the Swede has so far struggled to get to grips with Premier League football, and was at fault for Liverpool’s opening goal on Saturday, and then in the second-half skied a great chance to bring us level, yards over the bar.
Krafth’s poor performances have been made more noticeable by the fact that his left-back counterpart Jetro Willems has taken to the pace of the English game like a duck to water.
Competition may see Yedlin raise his game
But while he may lose his place to the returning Yedlin soon, having both Krafth and Javier Manquillo breathing down his neck this season, will hopefully bring the best out of the American.
His description of the injury which plagued him last season may also explain why so many of his performances last year were hot and cold.
Yedlin enters the final year of his contract next summer, and will be hoping to impress Bruce enough to earn a new deal, will certainly have some points to prove for the remainder of the season.
And a fully-fit Yedlin, fending off competition for his place, while playing for his Toon future, can only be a benefit for Newcastle United.
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