Duff promises to deliver for Geordies

Newcastle winger Damien Duff has promised his best days at Newcastle are yet to come as he plots his return from a frustrating injury lay-off.

The 27-year-old Republic of Ireland winger was hailed as the bargain signing of the summer when he completed a £5m (€7.5m) move from Chelsea to St James’ Park.

However, by his own admission, he has not reproduced the kind of form which initially won him his £17m (€26m) switch to Stamford Bridge on a consistent basis in a black and white shirt, and that is a situation he is determined to address.

Duff said: “Newcastle fans certainly have not seen the best of me and it’s been a very frustrating two months. Even when I was playing before my injury, I would not say I was at my sharpest.

“I did not really have a pre-season and it’s only when I look back now that I realise I maybe was a yard off the pace. But I am working hard to get back to my best and I am sure the fans will see that.”

Duff is in the running for selection for Wednesday night’s Barclays Premiership clash with Aston Villa after finally recovering from surgery on a knee cartilage.

He made an aborted comeback last month, but is now ready to give manager Glenn Roeder the kind of service in which he invested so heavily after dismissing links with Tottenham.

Duff told the club’s official website, www.nufc.co.uk: “I am going nowhere because I love it up here and I am desperate to do well for the club. Goals have always been a part of my game and I have always enjoyed scoring them. I scored quite a few at Chelsea and I am looking to get back on the scoresheet as soon as possible for Newcastle.”

Duff’s return – he and defender Titus Bramble both played in a practice match on Friday and could figure against Villa – has helped to take some of the pressure off Roeder as he tries desperately to add new faces during the remaining days of the transfer window.