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Steve McClaren reveals Newcastle's 'weapon' going into Man Utd clash
STEVE MCCLAREN is confident Siem de Jong will be a big hit at Newcastle despite injury wrecking his first year in the Premier League.
Steve McClaren confident Siem de Jong will be a success at Newcastle
The 26-year-old made only five first-team outings and two starts last season following his £6million arrival from Ajax.
The Dutch attacker suffered a serious thigh injury and then - as he was about to return to action - a collapsed lung.
De Jong was out of action once again against Swansea at the weekend with a shin problem, but McClaren is sure he will come good when he is fit.
He can assist and he can score and that’s a big weapon to have
The Magpies boss will have De Jong available to him for the trip to Old Trafford after he had treatment on a shin injury.
And when asked whether the Netherlands international could make a difference, McClaren said: "Of course he can.
"He can assist and he can score and that’s a big weapon to have, those two things.
"I remember when he came here, I remember thinking what a good signing that was.
"He's yet to light the place up, but that's purely because of injuries. He's just building up to get that chance.
"He's going to take a while getting to the right tempo and the right level, but we can see it every day, that he's improving, getting better, and he can see that, too."