Enrique: I want to stay in Toon

Mar 2 2008 by Darren Kelso, Sunday Sun

REAL ZARAGOZA are on the trail of Jose Enrique – but Newcastle’s forgotten man last night vowed to stay and prove himself at St James’s Park.

And Enrique has also been backed to succeed on Tyneside by United boss Kevin Keegan.

Enrique’s frequent absences from the United first team since former boss Sam Allardyce paid £6.5 million for him from Villarreal last summer have bemused fans.

And Zaragoza have been quick to sound out the 22-year-old left-back’s agent about his possible availability.

But Enrique himself is insistent he has a future at Newcastle – and Keegan says so too.

“I arrived here with the objective of learning the English game and taking whatever chances I have to play,” said Enrique. “Until now, things haven’t been like I wanted.

“The change of manager and injuries have affected me, but I will wait and fight for a place in the team.

“Of course, I want to play, but I don’t want to throw in the towel. Leaving the club? That’s not entered my plans. My dream is to succeed in England.

“I would only accept leaving if Newcastle decided I was of no value to them. But that hasn’t happened.

“My challenge is to work each day and fight for the chance to play. I do not feel inferior in comparison with other players in the squad.”

And Keegan, despite preferring Stephen Carr and Charles N’Zogbia to Enrique in recent weeks, is confident the Spanish Under-21 international will prove himself.

“I think he’s a good player – I know he’s a good player – and I like him,” said the United boss (below). “His training’s really good, his attitude is good. You can see he’s determined.

“But the Premiership is a tough place to come and straight away make an impact in a side at 22 years of age. He’s still getting settled.

“There’s so much to manage – the moving, the size of the club, the understanding of the area, family, weather . . .

“At some clubs, these players are fetched in and you don’t see them for six months. At Newcastle they have to play.

“I like him a lot. I think he’s got a lot going for him.”