‘It doesn’t matter where they are in the table’ – Newcastle new boy fired up to make his debut against City
Valentino Lazaro, right, was ineligible to play during Newcastle's 0-0 home draw with Oxford in the FA Cup Picture: Owen Humphreys/PA Wire - Credit: PA
Newcastle new boy Valentino Lazaro could face former Hertha Berlin team-mate Ondrej Duda if he makes his debut against Norwich City on Saturday and the Austrian will not be under-estimating the rock-bottom Canaries.
Lazaro and Duda were both important players for Hertha last season but have both moved to the Premier League this month.
The 23-year-old winger earned a move to Inter Milan reportedly worth around £20million last summer, after seven assists and three goals in 31 matches, but has joined the Magpies on loan after just 11 appearances for the Italian giants.
In comparison, Slovakia international Duda, 25, scored 11 and assisted six goals in 32 games in the Bundesliga top flight but remained in Berlin, only to fall out of favour after a change of manager - and has made a bright start to loan life with Norwich.
"Every team here has quality, it doesn't matter where they are in the table," said Lazaro ahead of Saturday's game at St James' Park. "We have to be serious, work hard, keep our heads down and do everything we can to get the win, give it everything we've got."
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Speaking to NUFC TV at the Magpies' training ground, he added: "Everybody's working really hard, you can still see a few players out there working on their craft and that's the spirit we need. We just need to win games and give it all we've got."
The right winger, who can play in a variety of attacking positions, has this summer's European Championship with Austria to target as he chases success for the Magpies.
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He was ineligible as Steve Bruce's side were held to a shock 0-0 home draw by League One side Oxford Unite din the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday but is in contention for his debut.
Lazaro added: "For Austria it's not that easy to reach that (the Euros), we've now done it for a second time in a row and we have great goals, so everybody wants to try and be at their best, to be in shape and in good form.
"So it's important to have games and hopefully I'll get my chance here to be in shape and help Newcastle, do everything for our fans and the club, and hopefully also do the same for Austria."
