NOLBERTO SOLANO fears Newcastle United will not see the best of Albert Luque until next season - but the Peruvian is hoping his prediction is proved wrong.

Since making a £9.5m switch from Deportivo la Coruna in August, Luque has failed to look anywhere near a player who would command such a fee.

A severely torn hamstring in only his second appearance for the Magpies against Fulham on September 10 - an injury described by former boss Graeme Souness as being worse than a broken leg - certainly hasn't helped.

And there have been ongoing suggestions that Newcastle will try to cut their losses on the 27-year-old during the summer by trying to broker a deal that would see Luque return to his Spanish homeland.

Solano knows all about having to adapt to the English game, and admits things have not gone according to plan for the left-footed forward in his maiden Premiership adventure.

But Solano does feel Luque will come good eventually, if not before the campaign ends then certainly next season.

"We might not see the best of Albert this season but next year I hope he will be a different player. I want it to happen as soon as possible but he still needs time," said Solano.

"There is pressure on Albert; it's always the same when a club has paid such a big fee. He wants to play and he wants to do his best. It hasn't happened yet but it will.

"It's difficult for any player, especially when you come from abroad. He understands the situation, he's a top man, and I hope we can get him in the team and help him to do better."

Luque has not impressed since his expensive summer move and is currently out of favour with caretaker boss Glenn Roeder.

He has played on the left and in attack during his time on Tyneside but has failed to look like a Spain international in any of the 15 appearances he has made.

Young Frenchman Charles N'Zogbia is presently keeping him out of the side but Solano insists Luque is endeavouring to prove he is capable of starring in the English league.

Newcastle's poor campaign, in which the side team have failed to establish themselves in the top half of the table, has been highlighted as a factor in the player's struggle to impress.

"The situation the team is in hasn't helped him to settle in but he will get there," said Solano. "He's a good player and we have to be patient. He was unfortunate when he first moved here with the bad injury he suffered. He just needs games."

If Newcastle retain the services of Luque and transform him into a Premiership hit then there is every chance he could help the St James' Park outfit challenge at the right end of the league again next season.

And Solano, a regular on the European stage during Sir Bobby Robson's days in charge, admits playing in the Champions League remains high on every player's ambitions at the club.

As Newcastle recorded a point in the bore draw with Charlton on Wednesday night, most other football observer's eyes were watching Chelsea take on the might of Barcelona.

"I do get envious when I watch the Champions League games and wish it was me playing," said Solano, who has been part of the side that have gone four games unbeaten under Roeder. "Every top player is the same. We want to be playing in the Champions League like we used to. That's why we are working so hard.

"We have a chance to climb the table. We need to get three points and win every week if we are to get back into the Champions League.

"We need to stick together. We have a fantastic crowd, amazing. To have such a big crowd for a game against Charlton when there was the Champions League games on television was great. Our supporters are great and we need to respond and finish well for them."

Realistically, though, Solano accepts a top four place this season is beyond Newcastle, who sit 13 points adrift of fourth-placed Tottenham.

"We're not setting ourselves targets, other than to win as many games as we can. We will see what happens and whether we can finish in the top six, top seven, top eight. At the same time, we have to concentrate on the FA Cup.

* Skipper Alan Shearer is likely to train today and hopes to be involved against Everton tomorrow.

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