DAVIDE Santon is targeting fifth place and European qualification in his debut season in England.
The buccaneering full-back has cemented his place in the Newcastle line-up and impressed in his first weeks in the team with his attacking instincts and fleet feet.
But things have been more difficult over the last fortnight for the Italy defender with a heavy defeat at Fulham and a disappointing FA Cup defeat at Brighton clouding his progress.
Santon (pictured right) is back at Ewood Park tonight – the scene of his debut for Newcastle in a topsy-turvy League Cup defeat back in November – desperate for three points which would maintain their tilt for a European place. Defeat at Craven Cottage was far from a disaster after other teams failed to take advantage but slipping to another loss at relegation-haunted Rovers tonight would be a blow.
“I think a realistic goal for us is fifth,” he said.
“To get into the Europa League is very important for us. We have had two bad results but at Blackburn we will look to bounce back.”
Having suffered defeat already in Lancashire, Santon is desperate for a win tonight to make up for that League Cup heartbreak.
He said: “I am returning to Blackburn which is where I played my first game for Newcastle.
“It was an emotional day for me because it was my lifelong dream to play in England and I finally did it at this ground.
“The result was terrible though – so my goal now is to go back there and win for Newcastle against them.”
Santon may be new to English football, but says he has already settled into life in the rough and tumble Premier League.
Although it may not be until next season that we see the defender at his best, he is a big fan of the way clubs put such a premium on attacking play in the English top flight.
“I have already fallen in love with the English game,” he confirmed.
“I love attacking and here it is part of the game. In Italy it is more about defence and maybe they don't want me to attack so much.
“This is maybe a smaller club than Inter but we have a big spirit. I have to both attack and defend and I love the way that we play.”
