Emil Krafth has opened up on the healthy competition for places at Newcastle United under Eddie Howe.
The Sweden international right-back stepped into the team after Kieran Trippier's foot injury earlier in the campaign and enjoyed a starring role in the Magpies' unbeaten run which laid the foundations for Premier League survival. Krafth has often watched on during his Newcastle career as the team stayed unchanged despite poor results.
However, the 27-year-old, who arrived from Amiens in 2019, now feels Howe has instilled a culture that hands players a chance when it is merited. Indeed, Javier Manquillo had a poor game against Tottenham Hotspur and paid missing out on a place in the starting X1 in the 1-0 win over Wolverhampton Wanderers on a night in which Krafth got his opportunity.
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Krafth told Chronicle Live: "It is a squad game at Newcastle now - and that's what it should be. Of course, everybody wants to play but you have to fight for your spot. It should be like that and that's how it is, it's really good."
Although, Krafth knows that could mean he faces a huge battle for the right-back slot when Trippier returns to fitness. There had been talk of the England defender returning for the clash at Norwich City meaning Krafth will have to serve up two quality displays against Leicester City and Crystal Palace to stay in contention.
Krafth said: "We're team-mates. We push each other, if Kieran plays I push him and if I play he always pushes me. That's how it works. You need to do that if you want a successful squad. Especially with where we are at right at this moment. I hope to see him fit again soon."
Newcastle nudged up to 34 points against Wolves last Friday night and they can put themselves in touch with the top 10 should they follow that up with a win against Brendan Rodgers' Leicester City on Easter Sunday. Looking back on the narrow but crucial win over Wolves, Krafth said: "It was a massive, huge win for us against Wolves.
"We fully deserved it and it was hard work from minute one. What can I say? The lads were brilliant but now we must take this forward to the Leicester game."
One of the big plus points of the win against Bruno Lage's team was Chris Wood's first goal at St James' Park and while it may have come from the spot, Krafth knows how important that moment could be for the big striker.
Krafth said: "Chris Wood totally deserved that moment. He's been working so hard for his goals so I was very pleased for him as were the rest of the group. Again, we're all team-mates and are all pushing each other every game. That's exactly how it should be."
