Dedic 'incredibly hungry' to prove himself

[Getty Images] Amar Dedic has already experienced what it is like to play at St James' Park. The defender was part of the Benfica side thumped 3-0 by Newcastle in the Champions League last season, so he will be hoping for a much happier experience if he lines up against Liverpool on Sunday. Dedic is one of Newcastle's oldest signings this summer – which is saying something – and only the second over the age of 20, alongside goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek. The defender has never played in the Premier League before and, like all of Newcastle's six arrivals, he will need time to adapt to the intensity and physicality of the top-flight. But Newcastle sporting director Ross Wilson has already noted how Dedic is "incredibly hungry" to prove himself. Dedic, crucially, already knows what Matthias Jaissle demands and expects from his full-backs, so it is likely the head coach will not think twice about throwing him in at the weekend, even after just a handful of training sessions with his new team-mates. He certainly has the engine to get up and down the pitch. Although Dedic only made 24 appearances in Portugal's Primeira Liga last season, he ranked second for full-backs for carries into the attacking third (49) and third for progressive carries (202) and total carries (325). His ability to also offer cover at left-back will be invaluable, but Newcastle clearly need further reinforcements before the window shuts on 1 September.