Kaz: I'll return a better player
KAZENGA LuaLua might be back on the South Coast.
But the winger still sees his long-term future in the North East of England.
LuaLua this week returned to Brighton & Hove Albion, where he had a successful spell last season, on a three-month loan.
Withdean Stadium boss Gus Poyet worked all summer to persuade his Newcastle counterpart Chris Hughton to again part with the teenager, who was man of the match for United in their 3-2 Carling Cup second-round win over Accrington Stanley last week.
While LuaLua is relishing more first-team football in League One, he doesn't see his future as being away from St James's Park.
"I was at Brighton last season, and I enjoyed it," said LuaLua, who has three years left on his contract with the club.
"But I have to say my priority is at Newcastle United. I love playing for Newcastle, and pulling on the black and white shirt.
"When you get the chance to play in front of 50,000 people, it's amazing.
"I've been here since I was a young lad, and I love the club.
"I don't have any problems with anybody here, and if I can go on and play for Newcastle in the future, it'll be a dream come true for me."
LuaLua was grateful for the opportunity he was given in the cup tie at the Crown Ground.
And the 19-year-old didn't let Hughton down, setting up one of Newcastle's goals.
"Wherever I play, people know that I try my best," added LuaLua.
"The Carling Cup games are good at Newcastle because Chris Hughton
gives the younger lads like me a chance to show what we can do.
"It's a great competition to play in, and all the young lads enjoyed it in the last round. It gives you a taste of first-team action, and you can pick up a lot of experience."
However, LuaLua's performance almost scuppered his loan move, with Hughton admitting he had second thoughts about lending him to Poyet after his showing against Accrington.
Hughton said: "What we decided was that it was better to send Kaz out on loan.
"They badly wanted him to play for them after last season.
"We really did think about keeping him here because he did so well in the Carling Cup, but we have to get the balance right.
"He's a lad that's developed really well, and you want to keep him. We had to make a decision to let him out on loan, and we got that right, I think.
"We came to a decision between both of us. It's not so much a case of him not wanting to play in the reserves.
"He can play regular football, and, as I say, Brighton wanted him badly enough.
"He can develop even more between now and January, and we'll take it from there."
miles.starforth@northeast-press.co.uk
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Weather for South Shields
Saturday 11 February 2012
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