Christian Atsu has revealed he delayed a knee operation until it became clear Newcastle United were safe in the English Premier League.

The former Chelsea and FC Portor winger had to play through the pain barrier last season to ensure the Magpies regained their top-flight status.

The Ghana international also added that his long-term injury had plagued his career for the last three years.

He told nufc.co.uk: "I thought to myself, we came to the Premier League to stay there and I kept playing through the pain.

''I cannot leave my colleagues suffering like that so I have to at least try.

"What I thought in my mind is that I want the team to be secured in the Premier League and then I will have time to do the recovery.

"I cannot do the recovery thinking of playing in the Championship, I have to make sure I do everything for the team."

Atsu missed Newcastle's final six games of the season as he underwent surgery.