HE might not have even kicked his first ball for Newcastle United yet, but Islam Slimani has already revealed he would like to earn a Tyneside treble before the start of next season.

The 29-year-old striker wants to ensure the Magpies stay in the Premier League with the sort of performances that will then lead to a permanent transfer and, hopefully, lead to him being handed the club’s famous No 9 shirt.

Slimani, speaking to the media at Newcastle’s Benton training complex for the first time yesterday, is hoping to prove his fitness today so he can make his first appearance against Manchester United tomorrow after leaving Leicester City on loan.

While that is his short term objective, the bigger picture is that he is already planning for the move to turn into a full-time switch in the summer as he looks to make a real impact in the English top-flight.

"Yes, yes, I would like to stay longer if I do well,” said Slimani. “I'm just on loan at the minute but if I could stay here I'd be very happy, so let's see how it goes.

"Alan Shearer was a great, great striker, but from what I know there's no star here we're a group who are gelling and our aim is to do best for the team.

"The No 9 is what I feel the most comfortable in, so why not?”

During Slimani’s 18 months at Leicester he has struggled to hold down a first team place. This season he has only started two games in the league, whereas he is already feeling the love from Benitez before he has even pulled on the shirt in a competitive game.

He said: "The big difference is that he (Rafa) trusts me and when you have the trust of your coach that's very important. They trusted me at Leicester, it's not that I wasn't trusted, I started well but then I was dogged by bad health and injuries and couldn’t get in the team.

"I'm looking forward, Newcastle is now, Leicester was last year. The manager here phoned me and we had a good chat. There was a good feeling between us and it's important to get a call like this, to know that you're wanted by a big coach like him.

"I hope I can show what I'm capable of. At Leicester I had a good time there and a good season, but it was always about injuries and getting injured but now it's about Newcastle. I've worked hard all week and the aim is to give 100 per cent every single match.”

Slimani’s thigh problem has eased and he has trained for the first time with the players in recent days, although neither he nor Benitez dropped any hints yesterday that he would face Manchester United. He can’t wait to get going, knowing he could have moved elsewhere after interest from West Ham and Monaco was expressed.

"I think Newcastle's a big club and it's a good choice,” he said. “A lot of clubs got in touch but I'm pretty sure I made the right choice. I'm here to support the team and have a good second half to the season.

"I knew a lot about Newcastle, Alan Shearer, I'd also seen the film Goal. It's a great club a very famous club, world renowned players like Alan Shearer. I'm here to give my best to fight for my team.”

Slimani will be wearing the No 13 shirt. He revealed that his reason for choosing a number normally associated with a goalkeeper was because it has been successful for him when he has played for his country, Algeria.