Young Australian Curtis Good hoping for a debut with Newcastle United
AFTER overcoming injury, former Melbourne Heart defender Curtis Good is hoping to make his debut with Newcastle United.
FORMER Melbourne Heart defender Curtis Good has set his sights on an English Premier League debut after overcoming a hamstring strain.
Whilst injured the Young Socceroo has seen fellow Newcastle United youngsters Paul Dummett (22) and Massadio Haidara (20) given chances due to the defensive crisis which has hit the likes of Steven Taylor and Fabio Coloccini.
Good, 20, is among a new breed of stars set to be given an opportunity by new Socceroos boss Ange Postecoglou.
After playing in the League Cup final with Bradford City last season where he was on loan, Good made his Magpies debut two months ago in the League Cup win over Morecambe before injury struck in a reserves game against Bolton.
"It was only a relatively minor injury but the timing couldn't have been worse because of the injuries and suspensions," Good said.
"He (Alan Pardew) always talks to the youngsters and he said if I was fit I would've been given opportunities in last few weeks, which is a no-brainer. Two centre-halves were injured and one suspended.
"The first year was tough getting used to training but I feel a lot more comfortable now. I guess it's the same in any environment.
"But I had experience last year in some big games which helps, I've just got to get my body right."
Good revealed that he had received some ribbing from the Newcastle's French colony after the Socceroos' 6-0 debacle in Paris where four of his teammates Loic Remy, Yohan Cabaye, Moussa Sissoko and Mathieu Debuchy all involved.
"They said if Debuchy is scoring with left then there's issues," he said.
"But they were a bit shocked, they expected a bit more competitive game."
Though uncapped at international level, Good, who has almost five years left on his Magpies contract, hoped to get a chance prior to the 2014 World Cup.
"The World Cup is definitely the goal. The players that have been there talk so highly of it, it's the holy grail."