Valentino Lazaro Claims He is 'Fully Focused' at Newcastle as Coronavirus Threatens Loan Deal

​Valentino Lazaro has told Newcastle fans he is ‘fully focused’ at the club, following something of a rollercoaster start to his time on Tyneside.

Since joining Newcastle in the January window on loan from Italian giants Inter, the Austrian has had a turbulent start at St James’ Park, getting on the scoresheet for the first time in a recent FA Cup win over West Brom, but also receiving a red card in a Premier League defeat to Crystal Palace.

The Austrian has played a part in all of Newcastle’s Premier League matches since arriving at the club, apart from the clash with Burnley last month as a result of his suspension.

Speaking on ​Newcastle United’s official website, Lazaro explained: “When I came here, I felt the support not just from the fans, [but] from my teammates and from the coaches as well.

“I had a pretty good start here in training, but then of course the first games came and we didn't win. Then I had the red card."

Asked about his strike against ​West Brom being his first goal for the club, he admitted it was 'definitely not the best goal'.

Lazaro bundled the ball over the line from a few yards out as Newcastle overcame West Brom at the Hawthorns in the FA Cup fifth round on 3 March.

“Sometimes you just have to make the run and just be there," he continued. "That’s what happened and, in the end, it came out important because we still conceded two goals. I was very happy after that game."

Lazaro, only signed by ​Inter in the summer, felt confident in saying his concentration is firmly on his current employers.

“I've had a lot of questions about summer already. I'm fully focused here. I'm happy to be here. I'm not really thinking about just my own future right now.”

Thinking too far into the future is a dangerous game throughout the football world at the moment, with the coronavirus outbreak bringing the sport to an abrupt halt in the UK and most of Europe.

For loan players like Lazaro, it may be the case that all the football they play for their temporary club is now behind them. Depending on how long the situation ensues, Inter may be welcoming Lazaro back before he wears the white and black stripes again, although Newcastle do have an option to sign him permanently.