By Nick Raynor
July 20 2006

Newcastle midfielder Albert Luque has said he is better than last season and is ready to recapture his form.

Luque, who has been given the number 7 shirt for the 06/07 season, scored the equaliser for Newcastle in the Intertoto Cup first leg tie against Lillestrom.

 

After only scoring one goal last season against Sunderland, and being dropped from the Spanish World Cup squad, Luque is keen to have a fantastic season with Newcastle this year, continuing in the second leg against Lillestrom on Saturday.

 

Luque said:

 

"This season, I want to show the fans why I'm here,"

 

"I want to show them what kind of player I am and the one I was at La Coruna. It's difficult here because of the physical nature of the game, but I want to do my best to prove myself and I'm desperate to do more than last season.

 

"I've always wanted to stay here, last season was unfortunate, but I'm happy with the fans and the club, I got a great reception when I signed and I want to do my best for the club until I finish my contract.

 

"I feel much better, fitter, stronger, everything. Last season was unfortunate, it started very badly with the injury, but I feel much stronger and I'll try to do my best for the team.

 

"I like the pressure of moving (for big transfers). When I went from Mallorca to La Coruna it was a similar price, a lot of money and the fans know how much that is. That's why I want to do my best for Newcastle."

 

"The fans haven't seen me at 100% or the Luque you saw before at La Coruna,"

 

"I know more about English football now, the strength you need and I'm fit, which is the most important thing.

 

"I understand it's hard coming here to a different league, I'm not the first player to have found it difficult, but you just have to try your best and hopefully steer clear of injuries.

 

"It was a difficult time when I moved here and then got a bad injury, but my family's very happy to stay here and so am I. I have a strong mentality, which you need when you go through bad times."

 

Newcastle go in to Saturday’s game with a 1-1 draw from the first leg, with Lillestrom scoring a vital away goal.