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Haidara Happy To Make Comeback
Written by Newcastle Utd
Massadio Haidara expressed his delight after making his long-awaited return from injury in the Under-23s' 1-1 draw with Stoke
By Tom Easterby - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Newcastle United full back Massadio Haidara expressed his delight after making his long-awaited return from injury in the Under-23s' 1-1 draw with Stoke City on Monday night.
Haidara, 23, hadn't played a game since the 6-2 Premier League victory over Norwich City at St. James' Park in October 2015 after suffering meniscus injuries to his knee.
But he started for Peter Beardsley's second string at Whitley Park in their Premier League 2 Division Two clash on Monday, playing the first 45 minutes as he begins to put his near 11-month injury nightmare behind him.
And afterwards, the Frenchman told nufc.co.uk that making his return was just reward for all the hard work he has put in to battle back from his knee problems.
"It's been a long, long time. My last game was in October last year, so I'm really happy," he said. "I just played 45 minutes and I felt good. We got a point too, so I was very happy.
"It's been a lot of hard work for eight months. I worked hard, and now I'm just enjoying playing. I'll take it step by step until I'm fit for the first team.
"I felt all right. I could have done more, but with the staff we decided I would only play 45 minutes. This was good, and I hope next time I will play more. It's just about building it up - I don't want to go too quick, so I just played 45 minutes and next time I will play more.
"You don't feel strange, but you have to do everything like before. It was OK - I wasn't too lost, just maybe in the first ten minutes I was a little bit tired but after that, I was fine."
A late Callum Roberts equaliser earned the young Magpies a point in a game they perhaps could have won, after Julien Ngoy's first half opener for the Potters.
Former Nancy defender Haidara - who was replaced by Roberts at the break - thanked his teammates for their support as he looks to continue his progress, with the aim of returning to the first team fold in the near future.
"It wasn't easy. It was a tough game. The duel was good, and I think it's what I needed to test myself," he said of the hard-fought encounter with Glyn Hodges' Stoke side.
"It was all right, and I think the team played well. I think we deserved more, but one point is better than nothing.
"I wanted to say thank you to the lads for letting me play tomorrow and for helping me with my fitness too. This has been very good for me."