Rafa Benitez has admitted that he rejected a summer bid for Yoan Gouffran, and it looks as though the former Bourdeaux man is repaying his manager's faith.
Ligue 1 outfit Lorient were enquiring about the French winger, but Benitez opted against parting with him - a decision that has served Newcastle United well thus far.
Benitez toldChronicleLive:I was happy with him during pre-season.
I was expecting some offers for him - we had one that was not good enough and after, I was expecting maybe no-one would come and I would be happy, so that was the situation.
We were watching him closely and he was training really well and the staff, we were talking about it could be better to keep him, and that's it."
Gouffran boasts some impressive stats in the league this season, but perhaps none more so than this, of the Magpies'eight Championship matches, he has started all fivewins, and featured from the start in none of their losses.
Benitez noted:I am really pleased because when you have someone working so hard, he deserves some luck sometimes.
The Frenchman has also made an impact in the EFL cup, scoring a delightful winner against Wolves to send his side into the last 16 of the competition.
Benitez was additionallypleased by the performances of his two debutants, Archaf Lazaar and Daryl Murphy, in the 2-0 cup victory.
Sometimes players on their debuts play a fantastic game or they do nothing, but what they have to do “ it doesn't matter “ is work hard and they did it.
They both did their jobs.�