Danny Simpson eager to prove Premier League prowess

Sep 5 2010 by Mark Douglas, Sunday Sun

Danny Simpson can see light at the end of the tunnel after a shocking injury. Chief Sports Writer MARK DOUGLAS reports.

NO excuses. It is the mantra that runs through battle-hardened Newcastle United these days, from the kit man to Kevin Nolan as this crop of honest pros looks to banish the blame culture that undermined their last stint in the top flight.

Just ask crocked right-back Danny Simpson, who is eyeing a mid-October comeback after winning the battle with the worst injury of his career.

You wouldn’t blame him for straight-batting questions about his top- flight credentials, especially considering he is playing catch-up after a summer spent hobbling around on crutches and doing nothing more strenuous than playing video game Call of Duty.

Simpson is part of a new breed at St James’ Park, though. A generation who hold their hands up when they’ve short-changed the fans and refrain from playing the blame game.

In short, he is well aware that people have reservations about him as a top-flight full-back.

But he is big enough to accept the challenge of proving them wrong.

“I know what people might be saying. Manchester United got rid of me, it didn’t work out at Blackburn. But I know what I can do,” he tells the Sunday Sun.

“In previous years if things haven’t gone my way, or I’ve had a dip in form, I’ve been able to say ‘Well, I’m a young player’ or it’s because I’m out on loan and my future’s up in the air.

“Not this time, though – now there are no excuses at all.

“It’s time to establish myself in the Premier League as a Premier League right-back. I’ve done my growing up, I’ve made my mistakes on the field and I think I’ve learned from it.