Tuesday 11 November 2014 09:32, UK
Mehdi Abeid says 18 months of loan spells have left him tough enough to compete in the Premier League.
The Newcastle midfielder was given his first Premier League start against Liverpool earlier this month after impressing Alan Pardew during three Capital One Cup outings.
Abeid has been on the club's books for three years following a move from Lens, but he was sent to St Johnstone for the second half of the 2012-13 season before spening the whole of last term in Greece with Panathinaikos.
"A lot has changed," he said. "I've been out on loan a lot and I have come back here to have some time to play and show the manager and the club I can play for them. I am really happy.
"I knew I had to play football and that's what I went and did, to play football and enjoy my time. I got a lot of experience, I learned a lot and I came back with a strong mentality and a strong character."
Abeid's contribution has received fewer headlines than that of Ayoze Perez, Newcastle's summer signing from Tenerife who followed up winners against Tottenham and Liverpool with a backheeled goal against West Brom at the weekend.
"If he continues like this he can be a big player for us," Abeid said. "He needs to score, he is very technical - a very good player - and we know he can do big things for us."
