Rayo Vallecano defender Florian Lejeune is sorry having not worked with Newcastle boss Eddie Howe.

Lejeune saw action in today's friendly defeat at Newcastle.

He has admitted it was a "shame" that he did not get to work with Eddie Howe at Newcastle because he would have really 'struck a chord' with the Magpies head coach.

"The new owners appear to have done things very well," Lejeune told ChronicleLive. "Last year, they recruited the players that they needed and who knew the Premier League very well so their recruitment has been very clever and really intelligent for the rest of the season ahead. They've also brought in Bruno Guimaraes who brings that added touch of class to midfield at Newcastle.

"As for the new manager, Eddie Howe, he has a great track record with what he did at Bournemouth. He is someone who likes his teams to really play football and bring the game to other teams and you can really see that. It is a shame actually because perhaps I would really have struck a chord with this manager!"