Emil Krafth reflects on 'difficult' time at Newcastle United

Krafth is set to start tomorrow’s third-round FA Cup tie against Rochdale at Spotland.

Javier Manquillo and DeAndre Yedlin suffered injuries in the club’s 3-0 New Year’s Day defeat to Leicester City – and Krafth is next in line.

Jonjo Shelvey and Fabian Schar were also forced off at St James’s Park, and Newcastle had to play 40 minutes with 10 men.

“It was very strange and, I think, very tough,” said Krafth, signed from Amiens in the summer. “I think we have to not do as many mistakes as we are doing at the moment. There have been a few games where we are giving away the goals. So we just have to do that part better.

“We have a lot of injuries as well. The last one (Schar), we couldn’t change, and we had to play with 10 men, which makes it even more difficult.”

Kraft came on for Manquillo before the break. The 25-year-old said: “Of course, you never want to see a team-mate get injured. That’s the worst thing that can happen to you as a player.

“As a player, you always want to play every game. You’re not happy if you don’t play. I’m just sorry for the guys that got injured.”

Krafth’s previous start had come in the 5-0 defeat away to Leicester in late September.

“It’s been difficult,” said the Sweden international. “I played a lot at the beginning, and then I was on the bench for a lot of games.

“But I know during the season there are a lot of games, and when you get a chance, you have to take it. I’ve just been patient and waited for my chance to play, because that’s what a football wants to do, to play week in, week out.

“I just tried to get better every training. I’ve never played in a back five. Before, I always played in a back four as a right-back, so it’s a little bit different from what I’m used to. So I’m trying to learn to play in this position.”