Diame spent almost a month out of the Newcastle team due to being away at the Africa Cup of Nations.
DeAndre Yedlin has labelled Mohamed Diame’s recent return to the Newcastle first-team as huge, the Shields Gazette reports.
Diame endured a difficult first few months at St James’ Park, but started to make significant improvements shortly before Christmas with two goals coming in two games in the December wins over Wigan and Burton.
Mohamed Diame of Newcastle United (C) in action with Bradley Johnson (L) and and Chris Baird of Derby County
However, Rafael Benitez’s men had to cope without the midfielder for almost a month as he was called up to be a part of the Senegal squad that competed in the Africa Cup of Nations. In his absence, Newcastle won three, drew one and lost in the FA Cup against Oxford United.
Despite their impressive form in that time, Yedlin believes that having Diame back available – he has featured in the draw with Queens Park Rangers in midweek and the win over Derby on Saturday – has provided the rest of the squad with a boost.
“It’s huge. We’re in this position because of everybody in the squad and having those guys missing, it’s hard because you don’t have the same kind of depth,” he said, as reported by the Shields Gazette.
Newcastle United manager Rafa Benitez
As the American alluded to, Benitez having as many options as possible over the coming months could be crucial to their hopes of capitalising on their current position and securing automatic promotion from the Championship.
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And Diame will be hoping to prove, despite their promising form while he was away, he can make a major impact over the coming months and help the Magpies finish the campaign inside the top two.
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