William Osula has revealed that being handed the number 10 shirt at Newcastle United gave him the show of faith he was hoping for in the summer. The 23-year-old forward is edging back to full fitness after missing six big games and is eyeing more glory nights in a Newcastle United shirt.
Osula was finally back in training after two months out in the build-up to this evening's clash at Coventry City. His season started perfectly with an assist for Anthony Elanga on the opening day against Liverpool before he was forced off with a foot injury.
A gesture of faith from Howe
It hasn't always been easy at Newcastle for the former Sheffield United player, but he has never kicked up a fuss and waited patiently for his chance. That came at the end of last season when, with hopes of silverware over for Eddie Howe, the 6ft 4in 23-year-old was afforded a run in the team, with the £10million man responding with five goals in his final seven matches.
Howe's last gesture to Osula was to throw him the 10 shirt previously worn by Anthony Gordon. The head coach's plan, before he decided to call it a day on Tyneside, was to ensure that the Copenhagen-born star was always set for a starring role this term.
When asked if one of Howe's last acts as Newcastle boss helped guide him on what had sometimes been an uncertain future, Osula said: "Absolutely. It's a nice feeling.
"I waited for my chance for a long time at Newcastle and was happy I was given that opportunity to play. I just wanted a chance to show what I could do and got that opportunity."
Adjusting to a new manager
However, Osula and the Newcastle squad were left rocked just a couple of weeks into pre-season when Howe announced his decision to resign as Toon boss. He was swiftly replaced by Matthias Jaissle ahead of the campaign's big kick off.
Osula admitted: "I didn't expect it. I showed them my gratitude to them when they left for what they done in my career so far. Now we have a new manager, we want to do well and move forward under him."
Osula's foot injury back in August served an early blow to Jaissle and his backroom team, with Yoane Wissa and £51million forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo sharing responsibilities in attack but yielding just one goal between them so far. Now Osula will bring strength and power to that frontline and he can't wait to get up and running as Jaissle tries to serve up vertical football at Newcastle.
Osula said: "I like the way he (Jaissle) plays. It's direct and forward and that suits my game too, I look forward to playing under his ways and his tactics.
"I just look to provide and do my best on the pitch, thankfully I had trust put me in towards the end of last season. As long as I am on the pitch, the more you play, the more you can show, this is how it is, yeah?"
Team news and Coventry warning
Going into the game, Jaissle will welcome back Brazilian enforcer Joelinton, potentially Osula, Dan Burn and Amar Dedic, while Nico Gonzalez and Lewis Miley have shaken off minor injury scares. Jaissle has made it clear that none of the big hitters on the list of returnees have a chance of starting against Frank Lampard's Sky Blues.
Speaking about the prospect of facing a Coventry side in the bottom three, Jaissle urged for caution against the newly promoted side. The former Hoffenheim and Stuttgart player said: "Every team is capable of winning against every opponent.
"Coventry have the momentum, as they won their last match, and confidence. They also have quality and a clear playing style. If we perform at our best, then it will be difficult to beat us. We want to make it as difficult for them as possible."
