Ghana and Newcastle winger Christian Atsu says he has struggled to overcome injuries after playing through a series of niggling knee problems during his first two years but with the pain becoming more severe in the second half of last season, the decision was taken to undergo surgery in April.
The 26-year-old was not actively involved in Newcastle's pre-season as he completed his recovery, and has taken a couple of months to start hitting full stride.
His only league start of the current campaign came in September’s home defeat to Leicester City, but he came off the bench in the closing stages of last weekend’s win over Bournemouth to positive effect and could well become an increasingly influential presence in the next few weeks.
He said as reported by thenorthernecho.co.uk, “I need to give everything and work harder because, at the start of the season, I was not in good shape." “I am still getting my fitness back to where I want it to be."
“I am really working hard, and I am confident this is going to be a good season. I know I can get back to my best form."
Atsu, who is currently on international duty with Ghana preparing for Sunday’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier in Ethiopia added, “It has been more difficult to recover than I thought it would be. To be fair, it has been very difficult to come back from the injury."
"That is normal though. It was a knee injury, and they are always difficult to recover from. With time, I am going to be back to my very best football.”
The former Porto forward joined Newcastle United on a one-year loan deal with an option to buy clause in the contract. On 13 September, his debut for the club came on as a substitute for Yoan Gouffran in the 61st minute in a 6–0 away victory against Queens Park Rangers at Loftus Road, where he provided the assist to Aleksandar Mitrović to earn their fifth goal.
In May 2017, Atsu agreed terms on a permanent switch to Newcastle. He signed a four-year deal at St James' Park and joined the Magpies for £6.2m.