ANTHONY Gordon admits he wasn't fit enough when he signed for Newcastle United, making his first six months on Tyneside "really difficult".

But after signing off for the summer with his first goal for the Magpies in the final day draw at Chelsea, the £45m January signing is now heading off for the European Under-21 Championships with England and says he'll be "on it like never before" to make sure he's fit and sharp for the start of Newcastle's pre-season.

Gordon joined Newcastle after a stop-start first half of the season with Everton and the early weeks of his time at St James' Park were disrupted by an ankle injury.

The 22-year-old admits he was initially taken aback by Eddie Howe's fitness demands at Newcastle but now knows exactly what's required and is excited for his first full season on Tyneside.

"It's been a really difficult full year, not just since I've been at Newcastle, so it was just good to get that first goal," said Gordon.

"It's been so difficult because of the level I was at coming in, the lads here were so much higher. I had an uphill battle, lets say, to match them, then I had the injury.

"It felt like I was chasing and it was hard mentally and physically, but now I feel like I have a big summer coming up to put myself in a really good position next year.

"I've got the Under-21 Euros so physically I'm going to be on it like never before. Out there I'm absolutely blowing. In this team you have to be so fit, the gaffer demands so much. That's something I probably didn't expect or didn't know, but I know for next year so I'll be on it."

He's also developing tactically under Howe's tutelage, having impressed in a more central midfield role at Chelsea.

He said: “It’s definitely different. It’s the first time I’ve ever played as a number eight but the manager does a lot in the week that makes me feel comfortable in the position. There was a lot of tactical information that made me feel a bit more comfortable and it was obviously a good decision, because I scored."

While Gordon hasn't yet managed to hit top form at Newcastle, he's still delighted to have played his part in a historic campaign and is already relishing next season, particularly the Champions League nights at St James' Park.

He said: “It’s been incredible to have been a part of this history. The club deserves it, just for how passionate the fanbase are and how everyone has performed this year – players, staff, everyone around the place. It’s just been a real collective effort so I’m delighted for everyone around.

“The Champions League means so much to everyone, and Champions League nights at St James’, I don’t think there’ll be many occasions that beat that. On a personal level, I feel like I’ve been at 40 or 50%. I feel like I’m going to have a massive summer and then really show people what I can do."

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Despite his relatively slow start at Newcastle, the supporters have shown their backing for Gordon with a new chant - to the tune of Abba's Voulez-Vous - sang on repeat in the away end at Stamford Bridge on Sunday - to the delight of the midfielder.

He said: "The new chant is class. Elliot (Anderson) showed me it on the coach going to the ground. I was watching it on repeat on the coach, and they literally sang it non-stop all game.

"You can’t really overstate how much that means to players. It’s hard to show them how much that means because you can only really give them a little clap, but it really means a lot."

Gordon's attention now turns to the European Under-21 Championships, which get underway in Romania later this month.

He said: “I’ve always loved going away with England – it’s the best recognition you can get for me because it means you’re one of the best in your country for your age. Just putting the England shirt on means so much to me. I always seem to find a play a bit better for England too."