Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden has revealed he has stepped up his recovery from a serious knee injury.
The Magpies have already confirmed the 26-year-old has been ruled out with injury for the rest of the season.
Hayden was stretchered off during March's 3-0 defeat to Brighton with a knee injury, after a Jonjo Shelvey challenge on Seagulls midfielder Yves Bissouma saw the latter inadvertently clatter into Hayden's planted leg.
However, the 26-year-old did not require surgery and is currently undergoing a rehabilitation programme with the club's medical team.
And he has revealed he has been back running this week as he steps up his recovery ahead of the 2021/22 Premier League campaign.
"It's going really well," Hayden told nufc.co.uk when asked about his recovery.
"I've started running outside again this week so it's going really, really well and I'm pleased with it."
Hayden was talking to the club website after making his 100th Premier League appearance, with the Premier League partnering with Coca-Cola to recognise players who reach the milestone, as well as every century mark after that.
And the 26-year-old is confident he can kick on with Newcastle in the top flight once he recovers from injury.
"I think it's a big achievement for anybody to play 100 games in arguably the best league in the world - and to do it at 25 years of age," he added.
"It's one of those things where you don't really think about it too much now because you're still in the thick of it and you're still wanting to play as many games as possible and play at the highest level continuously but it's definitely something that, at the end of your career, you will look back on with a great sense of achievement.
"Hopefully now I can kick on and get as many more Premier League games as I can - and hopefully play the rest of my career in the Premier League."
