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Pardew Pleased With Obertan Impact
Written by Newcastle Utd
Alan Pardew is delighted with the progress of Gabriel Obertan, with the winger set to start against Leicester
By Steven Back
Alan Pardew is delighted with the progress of Gabriel Obertan so far this season, with the winger expected to retain his place in Newcastle United's starting line-up for Saturday's Barclays Premier League home fixture against Leicester City.
After impressing in his first league start of the campaign against Swansea a fortnight ago, Pardew has faith in Obertan's ability and hopes the former Manchester United man, who arrived on Tyneside in the summer of 2011, can recapture his best form.
"Obertan has had a career which has been a little bit stop-start," admitted the Magpies' manager.
"He came here after Manchester United looking to really push on and he had a great spell for us, playing in the period where we had a ten-match unbeaten start in the season we finished fifth.
"But he's had injuries and lost his way a little bit. I think he is a player who plays on confidence and I'm trying to get him in a place where his confidence is high.
"If our stadium can help him on Saturday it's going to help the team because he will play (against Leicester)."
At the age of 25, Obertan no longer falls into the 'promising youngster' category, and Pardew believes the wide man has matured into a fine player.
But he reminded the Frenchman of the need to be consistent in his displays on the flank.
"I think he's been terrific, he needs to keep his confidence and keep believing in himself, and if he does that he is a real threat against any opposition," said Pardew.
"I think Gaby has had some games at home, in particular, where it's not gone well for him but when it does go well for him then he can make us look a different side.
"We are now hoping he's reached an age where he has more maturity, more confidence in his ability.
"I don't think anyone in our squad or our staff would question his ability because sometimes he can be absolutely breathtaking here (on the training ground), but he needs to reproduce it on a Saturday when we play."
Tickets for Saturday's Barclays Premier League home fixture against Leicester City are still available. To secure your seat at St. James' Park, click here.