Jimenez Tejeda Xisco has not been a big hit at Newcastle United since his summer move from Deportivo La Coruna. Despite scoring against Hull City for the Magpies, the Spaniard has not started a single game since Joe Kinnear became boss.
The player slipped, almost unnoticed amidst the fanfare surrounding Mark Viduka, back into training after a three-week absence with a hamstring injury, and Newcastle assistant-manager Chris Hughton believes that Toon fans could be in for a treat when the Spanish Under-21 international does start firing.
"It has not been easy for Xisco. He came here on transfer deadline day and did not have a pre-season with us," said Hughton today.
"Really we are still finding out about him and he is still finding out about us. He is still a very young player at 22, and we are hoping he will get better and better."
Majorca-born Xisco followed Fabricio Coloccini from Deportivo La Coruna for an initial fee of £5.7 million, and this could rise to £7 million if he manages torediscover any of hispreviousform on Tyneside.
Like another former Deportivo striker, the £9.5 million Albert Luque, Xisco has been a massive disappointmentforthe Toon,though his cause wasn't helped when recruitment duo Dennis Wise and Tony Jimenez brought him in against the wishes of previous managerKevin Keegan.
The player should be good enough to bea hit. After all, he is still a regular for Spain's Under-21s and scored for them against Switzerland in October, a goal that helped his nation qualify for the European Under-21 finals next year.
As for Hughton, he is enjoying life at Newcastle again now that he is back in his familiar role as assistant. The former Tottenham Hotpsur full-back had an unhappy, though very brief spell in charge of the team when Kevin Keegan left.
"That time at the helm has not affected my confidence. The biggest factor as to why we did not do well was that I was without some of our best players," Hugton explained.
"With due respect to Claudio Cacapa, being forced to play him in midfield and use two central defenders as full-backs was not what I would have wanted.
"My saving grace is the fact I am still very much involved in the coaching and preparations of Newcastle United, and I am trying to do the best job I can for the club."
Zack Wilson, Goal.com
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