The former Sunderland youth participated in Newcastle United’s preseason.
Newcastle United midfielder Jay Turner-Cooke is “ecstatic” to be back playing after missing nearly three months due to a hernia issue.
The former Sunderland teenager spent the first half of the season on loan at Scottish Premiership club St Johnstone, but made only six appearances, the last being a 3-1 loss to Celtic on December 3.
With the 20-year-old nursing an injury and battling for playing time, the Magpies decided to recall him in January. Turner-Cooke also returned to action with the under-21s earlier this month.
“I was ecstatic to be playing again,” he told NewcastleUnited.com. “It’s been a difficult few months out injured, which I had been dragging for a while at St Johnstone.
“To be back on the pitch with a smile on my face was all I needed for the last few months, and I’m hoping to get a good amount of minutes from now until the end of the season.”
“I had some experience last season at Tranmere that I believed I could put to good use, but it’s always difficult to go away from home and your friends and family, but I thought I handled it well, and I gained additional learning experience while up there.
“It will only help me become a better player and season in the future. I’m really driven to get back to full fitness and play like I did before the injury. Hopefully, I can accomplish that and finish the season on a positive note.”
Turner-Cooke made cameo appearances for Eddie Howe’s first team in pre-season, scoring in a 3-2 win over Gateshead, as well as against Brighton & Hove Albion, Chelsea, Fiorentina, and Villarreal.
Turner-Cooke had previously made 12 loan appearances for Tranmere Rovers in League Two.
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