After missing the last two months with a knee injury, Tyias Browning is looking forward to getting back out on the pitch.
The last time Browning played a competitive match was on the 18th February against Wigan Athletic in a 0-0 draw.
The defender had returned to parent club Everton to receive treatment but is glad to be back at Springfields training ground this week ahead of the club’s trip to Newcastle on Monday.
On his imminent return, the 22-year-old told PNE PlayerHD: “It’s been a long seven weeks and I dealt with it a lot better than my last injury because that was a long one. It’s nice to be back training again and back in the mix.
“It’s a nice game to come back into, a competitive game and one they need to win. We need to finish as high as we can so it’ll be a good experience.”
The club played an in-house game to put Browning through his paces and Browning enjoyed getting some competitive minutes under his belt.
“I needed it. Obviously, I haven’t had as much football as I would have liked. That was the best I could have had without having a competitive game.”
Newcastle United are closing in on an automatic promotion spot and Browning is expecting a tough game but wants to make life difficult for the North East club.
“I’m sure they will come out all guns blazing and we are very up for it. I am sure it’ll be a tough game. They did us over earlier in the season and hopefully it be a different result.
“The Championship is unpredictable and you don’t know what you are going to get. Anyone can beat anyone in the Championship. Hopefully we can do the same on Monday.
“There is no easy game really. You have got to be ready.”
“The gaffer wants to finish as high as we can and a top half of the table finish would be a success season for the club.
“He doesn’t want us to let us fizzle out and lose concentration in the last few games. He wants us to be on it right until the very end.”