Newcastle United winger Christian Atsu has revealed that he took just ten days off this summer as he aims to rebuild his career at St James' Park.
The Ghanian, who signed permanently for Newcastle a year ago after an initial one-year loan spell from Chelsea, found his position in the side marginalised by the end of the season as he fell behind Blues loanee Kenedy in the pecking order.
"I'm very happy during pre-season because I can feel the work I was doing last season and during the summer paying off now I have joined up with the team," Atsu is quoted as saying by Chronicle Live.
"I did a lot of work during the summer. I had ten days off and then I came back to work in the gym in Newcastle with one of our physios. I stayed in Newcastle during the off-season.
"I know a lot of players go away during the summer but for me this is my work and it's a big pre-season. I have to be better because I know this will be a big season for me. I need to work to be better than I have been in the two previous seasons I've been with Newcastle. I wanted to make sure I was ready as soon as we came back for pre-season.
"I think I've been average, to be honest. I have to be more consistent this season. I need to work hard to score more goals and to assist more. I believe I will score more goals than I have in the previous two seasons. It's a big challenge for me. You see a lot of players, me included, who will play well in one game but not the next. This season I'm not going to allow this to happen."
Atsu could next be in action for Newcastle on Wednesday as the Magpies continue their pre-season against Portuguese side SC Braga.
