Newcastle forward Yoan Gouffran has explained how a 15 minute walk with manager Rafa Benitez helped him reintegrate into the first team squad with the Magpies.

The 30 year old’s contract expires at the end of the season and the Frenchman was all set to leave in the summer with Ligue One side FC Lorient the front runners to take the winger on loan but the player’s conversation with Benitez saw him stay at the club instead. He said in the match programme for the match against Wolves (quotes via the Shields Gazette):

“We walked one day for maybe 15 minutes. He asked me if I was ready to play and I said ‘yes, I am a professional. I am ready to play and want to play’. I work hard for the team. Sometimes people maybe cannot see that, but I work really hard to defend and to attack. It’s not natural to me. It’s not my position – I came here as a striker – but I will always work for the team and play where I need to and where I am asked to.”

Gouffran has so far played five matches for Newcastle this season scoring one goal (a volley against Derby County in a 2-0 win) and providing two assists. He was however benched by Benitez in the 2-0 home defeat to Wolves at the weekend and was not even brought on as a substitute, with Chelsea loanee winger Christian Atsu coming on instead for Matt Ritchie in the second half.