Newcastle United have brought in Salmon Rondon from West Bromwich Albion on loan.
Rondon’s future at West Brom was heavily speculated about from the moment Darren Moore’s side were relegated, with Newcastle always keen to buy him.
As a result, the Baggies did not play Rondon during pre-season, which meant he was playing catch up when he eventually did make the move to Newcastle.
The target-man had been kept in reserve up until last weekend, when he was selected to start against Chelsea.
And Rondon admits that he has had to work very hard to get up to speed since moving to St. James’ Park.
“I tried to get fit as quickly as possible. My pre-season was terrible, because I didn’t play games,” Rondon said.
“Here, I tried to get fit quickly, and day by day I try to train hard and be ready. This [to play an hour against Chelsea] was the gaffer’s decision. I tried to do my best and score.”
Rondon is still yet to score for Newcastle, but he is expected to become a key player for Rafael Benitez’s side as the season progresses.
Newcastle have struggled in the early weeks of the new campaign, although their fixture list has not been kind to them.
Rondon’s old side, West Brom, have scored frequently in his absence, with Jay Rodriguez and Dwight Gayle forming an exciting partnership up-front.
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