Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew says he is delighted with the progress Davide Santon has made recently.
The Italian full-back was left out of the Magpies' starting line-up for Sunday's meeting with Norwich City but came off the bench just after the hour-mark to perform well in his side's 1-0 victory with his showing pleasing his manager.
"I think his form's suffered a little bit, but he sealed us up at the end, and I was pleased with that.
"I was going to leave Davide Santon out against Arsenal - Ryan Taylor was going to play.
"At the last minute, I've had to turn to him and put him in the team.
"That takes a lot of character to play that night. Mental strength is a massive thing in the Premier League.
"He's only a young boy. He's an Under 21 Italian player.
"He ain't one of those without talent. He'll learn. It'll have done him good.""I was really pleased for Davide - he had to come off the bench after being left out," Pardew told the Shields Gazette after he started the former Inter Milan man in the 2-1 loss to Arsenal last Monday.
