Source: Northern_Echo
Enrique happy to be Newcastle's lone left-back
JOSE Enrique claims he is unconcerned at the prospect of starting the season as Newcastle's only recognised left-back.[LNB] While Chris Hughton continues to prioritise the purchase of defensive reinforcements ahead of the start of the new campaign, his attempts to strengthen his resources on the left-hand side have so far proved unsuccessful.[LNB] Chelsea youngster Patrick van Aanholt remains a leading target having enjoyed a successful loan spell at St James' last season, while Bolton defender Jlloyd Samuel is hoping to receive permission to speak to the Magpies if the Trotters make signings of their own.[LNB] For the moment, though, Enrique remains the only left-back on Newcastle's books, but having made 33 Championship starts last season, the Spaniard is ready to shoulder an equally onerous workload next term.[LNB] "I know I am the only real left-back in the squad, but I do not think that is a problem," said Enrique. "It is a fairly normal situation - look at Spain, they only had one left-back in the World Cup finals.[LNB] "It is very difficult to get a top-class left-back because it is a very specialised position. There are not that many left-backs about to buy in the transfer market.[LNB] "It is difficult. If you want to buy a midfielder, you can choose from four or five in every game. But if you want to buy a left-back, there are much less to choose from.[LNB] "I am very happy to be going into the season like this. Obviously, I hope to stay free from injuries. As long as that happens, I know I am capable of playing 50 or 60 games this season if that is what I have to do."[LNB] Given the lack of viable alternatives, it is hardly surprising that Enrique has featured prominently in Newcastle's two pre-season friendlies to date.[LNB] The 24-year-old played in the first half at Carlisle, and was one of the few players to play for more than 45 minutes as he enjoyed a 57-minute run out at Norwich last weekend.[LNB] He will line up again in Saturday's home game with PSV Eindhoven and is confident of being in peak condition when Newcastle travel to Manchester United for their opening Premier League fixture on August 16.[LNB] "It's good to have two matches under my belt now," said Enrique. "You have to train hard in pre-season and you have to play in the games as well. The games are very important in terms of fitness.[LNB] "I had 45 minutes at Carlisle and then played about 60 minutes at Norwich. It's good to build it up like that.[LNB] "It's also important to get back into the habit of playing with your team-mates. It's a little bit different for defenders.[LNB] "If you are in other positions, you can really just go out and play. But if you are a defender, you have to learn to play with the players around you, so pre-season is important for getting those understandings back again.[LNB] "It's important to play in game situations for that reason. Everyone has been getting minutes under their belt in pre-season and I think that will help when the Premier League matches begin."[LNB]
