The Newcastle United winger scored the only goal in the 1-0 win over Rotherham United.
Newcastle United winger Christian Atsu has told the club’s official website he is working hard to keep his place in the first-team.
The winger joined the Magpies on loan in the summer transfer window in his latest loan move away from parent club Chelsea.
He had to wait until this weekend to earn his first start for Rafa Benitez’s side as the Spaniard named him in his starting line-up ahead of favourite Matt Ritchie.
It proved to be a wise decision from him as the Ghanaian curled in a superb solo effort which ended up being the winning goal in the 1-0 victory.
It was the perfect way to stake his claim for a more regular starting role and he says he is working hard to prove his worth.
“Everyone is working to get in the starting lineup because everyone wants to help the team,” he told the club’s official website.
“The only way to help the team is to be on the field. That’s what I want to do – I’m really working hard to be in the team.
“I’m very happy that I scored and I’m happy that the team won, which is more important. I’m very happy that I scored, and it was a great goal for the team – we needed this one.”
The winger has also urged his teammates to build on this win and ensure they close the gap between themselves and Huddersfield Town in first place.
The victory over Rotherham took the Magpies to 22 points for the season, a tally that leaves them sitting third in the table and three points behind David Wagner’s team.
They will be keen to work at closing up that gap following the international break and Atsu says a winning run is a necessity.
“We need to get closer to (the teams at the top). It’s very important that each and every game we win, because in the Championship, every point is important,” he added.
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