NEWCASTLE new-boy Scott Parker has insisted he is ready to do himself justice in tomorrow's Intertoto Cup showdown with Deportivo La Coruna, despite returning to full training only at the end of last week.

Parker, who missed the second half of last season with a broken toe, has yet to appear in a black and white shirt after last month's £6.5m move from Chelsea.

His lengthy lay-off meant he arrived on Tyneside short of match fitness and, while he spent the opening weeks of pre-season training building his stamina levels, manager Graeme Souness still left him out of the club's first three Intertoto outings.

He will feature in tomorrow's semi-final second leg and is determined to put his recent injury problems firmly behind him.

"Things are going very well in terms of my fitness," said Parker, who made four Champions League appearances for Chelsea last term. "I had another check-up last week and have been given the all-clear to really kick on now.

"I had been training with the group but, when it came to the competitive stuff, I stepped out and did more running. Now I'm working with the lads properly and enjoying it very much.

"I broke my fifth metatarsal and had a couple of complications with it at the end of last year when I tried to push it because I wanted to try to get into the Chelsea side.

"I pushed it a bit too much and it took its toll. I'm feeling good now and I can't wait to pull on a Newcastle shirt."

Parker's return to action could not have come at a better time as the Magpies look to overhaul a one-goal deficit following last week's first-leg defeat in Spain.

Lee Bowyer's venomous volley has given Souness' side every chance of making the two-legged final and kept alive their hopes of scraping into the UEFA Cup.

"I think the lads got a good result in Spain," said Parker. "We got the away goal and we will bring them back to St James' Park with a good chance of getting through the tie and into the final.

"It was an encouraging result and performance. There were bits of the game which were good and all the lads are looking forward to the second leg.

"Europe is important to this club. It's what the club needs. This is a big club with a big fan base and European football is vital."

Parker will not be the only summer signing making his bow at St James' Park tomorrow as Turkey international Emre will also line up for the first time following his £3.8m move from Inter Milan.

Like his new colleague, Emre has also been building up his fitness levels with a series of intensive training sessions in the last fortnight and Souness is finally ready to unleash both midfielders.

"Scott Parker and Emre will play some part in the game," confirmed the Newcastle boss. "Whether or not I start them remains to be seen, but they are both ready to play and they will give us a boost.

"We were short on numbers last week in the first leg, but Scott and Emre come into contention and Jermaine Jenas could possibly be involved.

"We need as many experienced players as we can get, because Deportivo have a team packed with international players. They are all at a good age as well, in their late 20s, and have plenty of experience."

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