CELESTINE Babayaro last night admitted that Newcastle's fans were yet to see him in full flow after injury problems wrecked his first season at St James' Park, writes Scott Wilson.

The Nigerian full-back, who made a £1m move from Chelsea at the turn of the year, started just seven league games as a litany of niggling complaints forced him onto the sidelines for weeks at a time.

His frequent absenteeism led to an inevitable questioning of his commitment, with even Magpies manager Graeme Souness publicly bemoaning his wretched injury record.

The left-back was a doubt ahead of last weekend's trip to Arsenal but, after coming through his side's 2-0 defeat unscathed, he is desperate to prove his worth during the current campaign.

"People haven't seen the best of me," confessed Babayaro, who will be charged with the task of shackling Israeli international and one-time Newcastle target Yossi Benayoun when West Ham visit Tyneside this afternoon.

"For me, this is still a new club. The fans and public have not seen the real Celestine.

"No-one wants to get injured but I hope the situation where I keep on picking up knocks is in the past. I want to show what I can do now.

"It has been a frustrating time. It's a footballer's worst nightmare to have injury after injury. Hopefully, I have gone beyond that now.

"I went through pre-season pretty well. I played two games in the Intertoto Cup and had one niggle, but I think it's behind me. I have started the season pretty well and want to look to the future and try to keep going."

Babayaro's renewed determination mirrors the increased sense of purpose currently coursing through a Newcastle squad desperate to prove their doubters wrong.

Souness identified his players' "togetherness" as one of their major strengths prior to the start of the season and, while last weekend's trip to Highbury might have proved fruitless in the end, United's battling display augured well for the rest of the campaign.

"We are a lot closer," claimed Babayaro. "Last season ended badly and we know, this season, it is time to try to step it up.

"The way in which we have started the season this time around shows there is going to be a lot more fighting in this new season.

"We have a small squad. We haven't got the maximum squad we need but I still think things are looking up this season.

"We have to help each other out. It's the only way in which we can succeed. We do things together and we have to keep doing that."

Babayaro and Emre were helping each other out on the left wing last weekend but, sadly, an injury to the latter will prevent them developing their relationship even further today.

"Emre is a really good player," Babayaro said "I knew him when he was at Inter Milan and I knew he was a great player.

"It's a massive blow to the team, but it's one of those things. "We will go out there regardless, whether Emre is fit or not, and give our best.

"I saw West Ham beat Blackburn and I think they looked good, they looked sharp. It won't be an easy game for us but we will definitely get the three points."