Newcastle United youngster Ben Parkinson has opened up on the injury that scuppered his chances of leaving on loan in January.
Prior to Christmas, the 19-year-old forward had been in a rich vein of form for the academy, scoring eight goals in 13 appearances. With interest emerging from the clubs in the EFL and National League, Parkinson was open to the first senior loan of his career.
But heading into the winter transfer window, Parkinson sustained an ankle problem that would keep him sidelined for over two months. He made his comeback in the under-21s’ 2-0 win at Middlesbrough on Friday and marked it with a goal.
Diarmuid O'Carroll’s side have now won back-to-back matches having lost six of their last seven before that.
Speaking to newcastleunited.com after the game, Parkinson said: "It's a big night for the team. I think we needed a win after a tough period since January. We're trying to stay in the top 16 so it's a big three points and, on a personal note, I'm buzzing to be back and scoring.
"I was told before coming on to be myself, playing like I was before Christmas when I was scoring goals and playing with confidence. I think I've also taken a lot of confidence from my rehab and although it came at an unfortunate time, it was possibly the right thing for me and I was trying to take the positives from that.
"It couldn't have come at a worse time. I did it on New Years' Day and the January transfer window was something I was looking forward to, trying to get out and play senior football but that didn't happen.
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"I want to give thanks to the medical team, Carl (Nelson) and Andy (Campbell) who got me back to full fitness and I'm now looking forward to the rest of the season."
Due to the unprecedented amount of injuries in Eddie Howe’s first team last season, Parkinson was often called up to the matchday squad and made his Premier League debut as a substitute in a 2-0 defeat away to AFC Bournemouth.
Having also featured for Howe’s side in pre-season, coupled with his form for the under-21s, Parkinson was earmarked as a player who would benefit from a loan spell in January, But while teammates Charlie McArthur, Alex Murphy and Travis Hernes secured loan moves, Parkinson could only watch from the sidelines.
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Now back to full fitness, Parkinson is eyeing a strong end to the campaign before reassessing his future in the summer.
"There's still a few games left and I want to try and score as many goals and play as well as I can,” he said. “As a team, we've got to look towards the Senior Cup. It's a competition that Newcastle sides should and look to win every year.
"In the league, we're still fighting for the top 16 and that's somewhere we want to be, put the Academy in a good place play in the Premier League International Cup next season.
"I think the team is getting back to where it was before Christmas. Everyone is running for each other and that team ethic and togetherness is there so we're really looking to push on and finish as high as we can in the table."