Remy Cabella has told L'Equipe that Alan Pardew's decision to drop him "pricked my pride" and motivated him to come back still stronger for Newcastle United.
A 10 million euro summer signing from Montpellier, Cabella, 24, started the Magpies' first six Premier League games before being named as a substitute for the last three.
He came off the bench at half-time at White Hart Lane last weekend to provide his maiden assist for his new club as they triumphed against Tottenham Hotspur.
Though Pardew's decision hurt Cabella, the France international fully understood the Newcastle boss' move.
"It was logical. The coach started with me for the first two months, but I didn't score a goal nor give an assist. The fact of putting me on the bench, and even not playing me at all at Swansea, pricked my pride. But I didn't give up, I worked even harder," said the Corsica-born midfielder, who will hope to be in the starting lineup for Wednesday's Capital One Cup tie at Manchester City.
"He put his faith in me in the second half. It was my first assist. That's good for the confidence."
Of Pardew, Cabella added: "He speaks to me a lot. He is clear. He tells me when I'll be on the bench, if things are good, if it's not good. He wants me to decide games, score goals. For the moment, I haven't done that. That's why I'm not playing. Right now, I only think about that: scoring."
Cabella's price tag and the reputation for flamboyant, exciting attacking play he established at Montpellier meant Newcastle fans had high expectations of their summer arrival.
Those have not been met, as yet, but Cabella is confident he will once he adapts to the rigours of the Premier League.
"I put myself under no pressure at all. It's pointless. I'm here to play football, the best job in the world. That's what I like. And I love England. It's really another universe, I'm enjoying it," Cabella, who revealed he is putting himself through frequent gym sessions to improve his strength, explained.
"It's a new challenge in a new league, so of course it takes some time to settle in. The rhythm and intensity surprised me. For 90 minutes, you attack, you defend, the referee doesn't blow a lot. You have to get used to it. It's normal. It's new."