Newcastle United fans might not remember Mehdi Abeid.

The 28-year-old did not make a lasting impression during his time at St James’ Park and now plays for Nantes in France.

Abeid made his debut in the 2011/12 season, playing in the League Cup and the FA Cup, but it was in 2014/15 that he had the opportunity to really prove his worth.

Playing under Alan Pardew first and then John Carver after the former’s sacking, he made a total of 13 appearances for the St James’ Park club.

Since then, he has endured something of a nomadic career, playing for Panathinaikos in Greece and both Dijon and now Nantes in France.

He still holds Newcastle close to his heart, though, and says that it was injuries that wrecked his spell in the north east.

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He missed 88 days in total at the Magpies, meaning he was absent for 15 games, and he says he regrets his time at the club.

He spoke to 20 Minutes and the interview was quoted by Sport Witness.

He said: “I’m headed back to Newcastle, and at Burnley, I’m playing with a broken toe with an injection.

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“At the end of the match, I couldn’t walk. I was away for several months. That put a damper on my experience in Newcastle.

“I could have played all season there, I was confident. I loved my life there.”

GIVEMESPORT’S Harry Sherlock says…

There are plenty of tales of what might have been in top-flight professional football.

There are the youngsters that never quite made it for whatever reason, and there are those who merely fell foul of bad luck or bad timing.

Abeid is both of the latter.

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There was a managerial change in his final season at Newcastle, as well as, like he says, an injury sustained at the worst possible time.

Abeid is now a key player for Nantes, making 34 appearances for the club since his arrival in 2019.

Who knows, if he keeps it up, maybe one day he could end up returning to the Magpies before the end of his career.