Xisco: I came to United to play in the first-team

According to club sources, Newcastle United have not risked Spanish signing Xisco due to the player's lack of fitness, and not for any mysterious appearance clause in his contract.

It has emerged that the Spaniard has not been a 100% even for one match during his entire tenure in the North-East, and with a fresh injury scare now under observation, the Toon's very own X-Factor may have to spend time on the sidelines longer than he hoped.

'I came to Newcastle to play in the first team, but I will play in the reserves to build fitness. It's OK.'

On the injury, the Spain U21 International said: 'I feel pain in my toe. It is inflamed, and I will have to wait and see. I will know more on Tuesday.'

The striker scored two goals for the Reserves in the 5-0 mauling of Wigan Athletic's second string, and hopes that his performance will let the United bosses know that he is a serious contender to lead the Magpies' frontline.

'You're always happy when you play, and if you score it's even better, but playing is the most important thing,' Xisco told the Gazette.

'It was a very good ball from Ryan (Donaldson) for the first goal, and for the second goal I was alone in the box. To score two goals was good.

'But I wasn't thinking about a hat-trick. If you play, you just want to score.'

Xisco came to the Toon in a £5.7m move from Deportivo La Coruna last summer.

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