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Mehdi's Ready For More Minutes
Written by Newcastle Utd
After starting for United in Friday's friendly against Chemnitzer, Mehdi Abeid wants to keep impressing
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Mehdi Abeid got some much-needed game time under his belt on Friday against Chemnitzer FC, and the teenage midfielder is targeting more of the same over the course of United's pre-season campaign.
Abeid, aged 19, started for the Magpies in their 1-0 defeat by the German third division side, and lasted 66 minutes in the middle of the park before being replaced by new signing Gael Bigirimana.
It was a largely youthful line-up that Alan Pardew selected for the opening fixture, and that is fine by Abeid, who is keen to impress the manager.
"Pre-season has been good so far," he told nufc.co.uk.
"It has been a lot of hard work, but very good training. We need that for the new season, that is important for us. It is a busy season coming up so we need to be in a good condition.
"It was good to start against Chemnitzer. It was disappointing to lose but in these games the result is not the most important thing - it is more about our fitness.
"I love playing and would like to play more games and continue to play as it is important that I have good condition to start the season."
Having arrived from Lens in the summer of 2011, Abeid made two first team appearances last season - one in each cup competition.
And the youngster believes he has benefitted from training alongside top players and under the instruction of Pardew and his coaching staff.
"I have progressed a lot over the last year," he said.
"I have worked with good people and played with good players and that has been very important for me as a young player. I hope to progress every day and continue to progress. I want to do more.
"I would like to keep up what happened last season. I need to keep up the same work, keep the same frame of mind, and hopefully will get to play more games."
