Callum Wilson claims Jamal Lewis was the fittest member of the Newcastle United squad when they returned for pre-season training earlier this year.
Speaking to the BBC's The Footballer's Podcast with Michail Antonio, the Newcastle number nine was somewhat critical of pre-season preparations, claiming the Magpies were not fit enough for their clash with West Ham on the opening day of the season.
Nonetheless, one player who returned to the Benton training group in good condition, was Jamal Lewis.
The 23-year-old Northern Ireland international has struggled to consolidate his place in the side this season, with Matt Ritchie preferred in the left-wing back role.
However, Ritchie's suspension paved the way for Lewis to impress new boss Eddie Howe, who praised the young defender after the midweek clash against Norwich.
Speaking about his contribution after the game, Howe said: "I thought he did very well, in a game when we did not have much of the ball.
"He is obviously a real attacking left-back who has great athleticism and great ability to go box to box.
"We didn't see that because of the situation of the game vs Norwich.
"What he did do was he defended really well and diligently and worked well with Joelinton in front of him.
"And I was very, very pleased with the effort that he gave."
The new Magpies boss is clearly impressed with Lewis and his teammates revelation about his pre-season condition bodes well for the defender.
Howe plans to get Newcastle playing on the front foot and players with a high level of natural fitness will be key in implementing the philosophy on Tyneside.
"I obviously work hard in pre-season and try to be at the front as much as possible," said Wilson. "I look for the fittest person in the squad and think they're in good shape you know.
"Let me try and keep up with them on their shoulder. This pre-season we had Jamal Lewis, who was like an Olympic runner I swear.
"In pre-season he was getting off on every single run and you're looking at him - I'm blowing - thinking 'How's he not slowing down?'
"All you can do is try and bridge that gap between me and him right now. He's there flying and I'm towards the back so just speed up a little bit and try and stay as close to him as possible.
"I know that it's going to get me fitter by him dragging me along, even though he doesn't think he's dragging me along.
"I'm chasing him and I had to have in my mind me chasing someone down. I had to chase something down otherwise, if I'm just running for the sake of running, my technique goes, my head goes and I'm like 'Oh my word, what is this I'm doing?'
"I have to have that focus."
