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Beardsley Notes Mbabu Improvement
Written by Newcastle Utd
Peter Beardsley believes there has been a "change" in Kevin Mbabu this season - and that's contributed to his promising performances
By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor
Peter Beardsley believes that surprise package Kevin Mbabu is a changed man this season.
The dreadlocked defender joined Newcastle from Servette in January 2013, but his progress stalled due to a string of injuries. In the second half of last season, he was loaned to Rangers but failed to make an appearance.
With his United contract expiring at the end of the current campaign, it looked like the Swiss youngster's days could be numbered on Tyneside - until he suddenly found himself thrust into the first team picture at St. James' Park.
He made his debut as a half-time substitute in the Capital One Cup against Sheffield Wednesday in September and performed well on an otherwise disappointing night for the team.
And with Newcastle suffering an injury crisis ahead of their Barclays Premier League game against Chelsea, he was handed a top flight baptism of fire against the reigning champions.
Mbabu passed with flying colours, then helped to set up a goal in his next game at Manchester City before being forced off with a hamstring problem, but he made his comeback for the under-21s against Aston Villa on Monday night.
Daryl Janmaat limped off against Stoke last weekend, meaning Mbabu could come into the reckoning for Saturday's game at Bournemouth if the Dutchman fails to recover in time.
And Beardsley would have no concerns if the 20-year-old full-back was needed against the Cherries.
"What I have noticed is a change in Kev since the start of the season," United's second-string coach told nufc.co.uk.
"We've got to know him as coaching staff, he knows our personalities and knows what we expect, and to be fair to him he's been top class.
"Nobody was prouder than us when he got the chance to make his debut against Chelsea - that was incredible.
"Fair play to the head coach for giving him a chance and you saw the crowd's reaction. His emergence is great news for us."
On Tuesday, assistant coach Paul Simpson told nufcTV: "There's no change with Daryl. He joined in training today but he missed yesterday's light session to make sure the knee had settled down.
"It's something he's had in the past, he's had surgery on that knee, and he just felt in on Saturday so we'll see how he goes over the week.
"We're hopeful that he will be available for the weekend but Kevin Mbabu came through (the under-21s match) successfully; we only wanted him to play an hour just in case he's required for the weekend.
"Getting Kevin back fit again gives us another option."