Newcastle United midfielder Mo Diame has accepted he needs to do more to break into Rafa Benitez’s first team at St James’ Park.
The 30-year-old former Hull City star has yet to start a single Premier League game for the Magpies this season.
The Senegalese’s five appearances so far this term have all come from the bench as Ayoze Perez has cemented his position as Benitez’s first choice in the no.10 role.
The midfielder’s cause was further hampered by a training ground altercation with Jamal Lascelles this week, which left Jonjo Shelvey injured as he tried to intervene, according to the Chronicle.
Speaking before the training-ground incident took place, Diame insists he is finding it difficult to break into the side but remains determined to grasp an opportunity if it does arise.
“I just have to be patient and keep working and show at every single training session to show that I want to play,” the 30-year-old said.
“When I come on, I need to show that I’m ready and I want to play like everyone.
“To be honest, he’s [Perez is] playing very well. To be honest, all the team is doing a great effort.
“We’ve started most of the games with the same XI, because they have been doing brilliantly. If they are doing brilliantly, it’s good for everyone, because I need to work harder for the team.”
According to Newcastle forward Ayoze Perez, people are making a mountain out of a molehill. “Well, I am not going to comment about that. It is something that happens in every English team,” he told Sky Sports.
“We have a great dressing room and a great spirit. It’s nothing important. We have a lot of desire to improve and we have a lot of commitment.”