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Campbell's Glad To Be Back With A Goal
Written by Newcastle Utd
After almost two months out with a hernia injury, Adam Campbell spoke to nufc.co.uk about marking his comeback with a goal for the under-21s
By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor
Adam Campbell has spent most of the last two seasons out on loan, but he's still as determined as ever to make an impact at his beloved Newcastle United.
The 19-year-old - who became the youngest player to represent the Magpies in Europe when he came from the bench against Atromitos aged 17 years and 236 days in August 2012 - made his last first-team appearance in black and white against Arsenal on the final day of the 2012/13 season.
Last season he had spells with Carlisle United and St. Mirren - where he scored twice in seven starts - before heading to Fleetwood at the beginning of the current campaign.
Then he suffered a hernia injury which required surgery, but the diminutive forward marked his return after nearly two months out of action with a goal in Monday night's Barclays Under-21 Premier League defeat at Middlesbrough.
Campbell - who travelled with Alan Pardew's senior squad to New Zealand in pre-season - showed that he had lost none of his sharpness despite the lay-off as he expertly guided Haris Vuckic's pass beyond Boro goalkeeper Connor Ripley and played for an hour at Victoria Park.
And the North Shields-born teenager told nufc.co.uk: "It's always nice to be out on the pitch and it was nice to get back playing for Newcastle again.
"I have to thank the physios for getting me back as quickly as they have done. It's seven weeks since I had the operation and six weeks of rehab with the physios then a week now back training, so all in all it's been a pretty quick process.
"It was hard to walk and it was a bit of a struggle for three of four days. But then it was back to walking on the treadmill or running outside, stuff like that, so it wasn't too boring - it was just getting it fixed properly rather than rushing back.
"In the scheme of things, it wasn't a long-term one and, like I say, I've been working with the physios and they've been helping me with twisting and turning and getting that sharpness back."
Campbell's 34th minute strike gave Newcastle the lead on Monday and it looked set to be the winning goal until Middlesbrough scored twice in the final two minutes.
"It was nice getting a goal and getting back on the scoresheet, but I think it was just a bit of inexperience at the end and we haven't been able to see the game out," Campbell said.
"But it's a lesson learnt and hopefully we'll be better next time."
The flame-haired frontman made only one start at Fleetwood, who were League One's early pace-setters before slipping down the table in the weeks following Campbell's return to Tyneside.
He made a further three appearances as a substitute and said: "I went down there to get experience and maybe some game time, and I probably got more game time than if I'd stayed at Newcastle, so it was a good experience.
"They were doing well so it was nice to be involved in a team that were flying in the league.
"But first and foremost, I've always wanted to play for Newcastle and that remains my main goal.
"I'm going to be staying here and I'm going to be working hard and then, if a loan comes up and the manager thinks it's right for me, then I'll look to go out on loan.
"But like I say, Newcastle's my Club and this is where I want to be so hopefully I can stay here for as long as I can."
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