FEW Newcastle United fans would argue that things have not gone according to plan for Albert Luque since his big money arrival from Deportivo La Coruna two years ago.

A torn hamstring sustained in just his second game in black and white colours disrupting his first season on Tyneside, before the former Real Mallorca man found himself out of favour in the last campaign.

But now, after returning to pre-season training by himself this week, it appears that the Spaniard may have been thrown a lifeline by Sam Allardyce with the United gaffer impressed by Luque's determination to get back to full fitness.

And Big Sam told Newcastle World TV: "It would have been nice to have had Albert in Austria as he would have benefitted from that but his attitude has been exceptionally good.

"I had a little talk with him before we went off to Austria as he flew over to see me.

"He got married at the weekend but hasn't had a honeymoon, he's been in at the training ground on his own for the last couple of days and it shows he's willing to come into the fold."

Luque signed for the Magpies in August 2004 for a fee of £9.5m, arriving from Spain with a reputation as one of Europe's top forwards.

And Allardyce realises the undoubted potential of a player who once fired 12 goals in a La Liga season for Deportivo.

"Hopefully we can get more out of him than in the past. Having spoken to Albert he's not wanted to do anything else than be successful at Newcastle," added Big Sam.

"While he's had a bit of criticism about the size of his fee and some performances have been disappointing, from his point of view he does not feel like he's ever been able to grasp his chance because of serious injury and time taken to settle in.

"He's been fighting against that in the last two years but hopefully we can get more out of him and if we can do that we have another very valuable player on our hands to play for Newcastle United."

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