Enrique 'angry' at plight Magpies full-back reveals detest for relegation battle

Jose Enrique has expressed his 'anger' at Newcastle United's position in the Premier League table.

The Magpies face a fight to preserve their top-flight status, with the club just two points above the drop zone.

Enrique joined Newcastle from Villarreal in 2007 and admits he expected the side to be challenging in Europe, rather than struggling in the league.

The full-back said in the Daily Express: "I thought Newcastle were a team that had played in the UEFA Champions League and that's what I came for.

"Not it's so different and I'm angry. I don't like being in this position in the league.

Nerves

"It makes you nervous in training and nervous in games because when you're in a big team and you lose, people keep reminding you of that and it makes things a lot more difficult.

"When I lose I go back home and don't speak. Football is my love. My family is my love and so is my team.

"When we started this season with that draw at Old Trafford out hopes were high. After the game I was thinking we could finish sixth, seventh, or eighth but now it's so different.

"The big problem is injuries. We always seem to have seven or eight players out. First it was the strikers and now it's the midfield. Maybe it will be the defence next."

Meanwhile, caretaker manager Chris Hughton is hopeful Damien Duff, currently sidelined with a calf injury, will soon return to action.

He added in the Daily Telegraph: "Damien will not be fit in time for Manchester United but we should have him back for the game at Hull in 12 day's time."