Peter Lovenkrands admits he turned down a World Cup campaign with Denmark partly to be ready for Newcastle United's Premier League tilt.
Now refreshed and recharged for the new campaign - he hopes to shrug off a groin injury to play against Villa - Lovenkrands is targeting Premier League safety and a place at Euro 2012.
He told the Sunday Sun: "I chose not to go to the World Cup. I needed a break from football to be with my family and my mum because last season was a real rollercoaster.
"I spoke to the coach (Morten Olsen) and he really understood, and that was what I needed to hear from him.
"I think I did the right thing. I said to him the Premier League is coming up and I need to be 100 per cent. He said, 'This does not rule you out for the Euro 2012 qualifiers'.'
"That is a goal now. I feel like I am through that pain and grief I had."
