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Haidara Raring To Go
Written by Newcastle Utd
Massadio Haidara is pleased to be back at United's Benton base after injury cut his season short last term
By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor
Last season came to a premature end for Massadio Haïdara due to a knee injury, so the French full-back can't wait to get the 2014/15 campaign underway.
The 22-year-old former Nancy defender returned to pre-season training along with the majority of his Newcastle team-mates on Wednesday, and was again at United's Benton base on Thursday.
He has largely trained away from the main group so far, alongside the likes of Cheick Tiote and Steven Taylor, who are also making good progress following their own long-term injuries.
But Haïdara - whose last appearance came in last February's victory over Aston Villa - should truly be back in the thick of things next week.
"This week, I have four days of extra training with the physio before I'm back on Monday for full training with the squad," he told nufc.co.uk. "That will be good.
"It's just to be safe, because they want to be sure I'm ready when I get back to full training.
"I'm well excited, because I had a four-month injury.
"It was long. I had a break with some holidays so it was good for the head. I spent time on the beach and I enjoyed it.
"It's important to rest because the season is long and hard, so you have to have some rest.
"But now we have to work hard because the new season starts soon and I'm happy to be back."
New head coach Steve McClaren has been getting to know his players over the last two days, which have included the running drills which usually form such a big part of pre-season but have also featured a great deal of ball work.
And Haïdara is looking forward to showing the new boss what he can do, with the first friendly at Gateshead just eight days away.
"When something is new, you're excited to start," said Haïdara.
"We have a new head coach and I'm excited to be back."
Newcastle United's 2015/16 training kit is now available in the official club stores at St. James' Park and the Metrocentre, and online here