Newcastle United midfielder Henri Saivet has hit back at claims he has lost is desire to play football by insisting he still intends to become a star at St James’ Park.
Saivet, who joined the Magpies in January of 2016 for a fee of £5 million from Ligue 1 side Bordeaux, spent his first full season with the club out on loan back in France with St Etienne.
While he made a total of 35 appearances for the The Greens during his time with them, the Senegal star failed to earn himself a permanent move, and was accused of ‘losing his hunger for the game’ by then manager Christophe Galtier.
After a tough start upon his return to Tyneside – Saivet was recently dropped to the club’s reserves by Rafael Benitez – the 26-year-old insists he still wants to prove himself in England.
“I want to play for Newcastle United.” Saivet told the Chronicle.
“Whenever you pull on a Newcastle shirt it’s an honour. It’s a massive club and when you put the jersey on and get on to the pitch, you have to give 100% – even for the reserves. You want to play well every time.”
The Senegalese played 90 minutes for Peter Beardsley’s side on Monday night in a 1-0 defeat to Wolves, and is now aiming to break his way back into Benitez’s first team.
“I have to show him I can play in his team. I have to play very well in each training session or reserve game.” he said.
“He has told me to show what I can do and we need everybody in the squad so I will keep going.
“Maybe one day I will get my chance and show what I can do. I know there will be a chance.”
