The 25-year-old Frenchman arrived at St James' Park this summer after the Magpies managed to resurrect a deal on which they had been working for some time following the collapse of a proposed move to Liverpool. Manager Alan Pardew, who admitted he thought he had lost his man, was delighted to have snapped him up at the 11th hour as he sought to add pace and creativity to a side which retained its top-flight status with some comfort last term but on a diet of hard graft and commitment. Pardew is desperate to restore the flair which had the Toon Army off their seats during both the first Kevin Keegan era and Sir Bobby Robson's reign on Tyneside, and he hopes the ball-carrying and serving ability of £4.8million signing Yohan Cabaye and Marveaux's invention will help to do just that. The former Rennes winger knows the Premier League will represent a very different challenge to the one to which he is used, but he is not at all fazed by the prospect. Marveaux said: "I wanted this change, so I am not scared of it. "I just want to enjoy it. I just want to play, I want to work - I know I have to work. "I know there are a lot of good players in the team already, so I have everything to prove. "I am sure that not a lot of people know me very well here in England. I am looking forward to it. I hope the fans will be happy with my work, and I will do everything to please them." Newcastle and Liverpool were among a host of clubs who attempted to lure Marveaux, and it appeared that the Reds had won the race when the Frenchman headed for Anfield to push through a move. However, the deal foundered amid claims that the player had failed a medical on a groin problem which had sidelined him since November. Marveaux has repeatedly insisted that was not the case, and that he did not sign for Liverpool because the two parties could not agree on personal terms. But whatever the reason, he is adamant he is back to full fitness and is keen to get to work with the opening-day clash with Arsenal on August 13 looming large. He said: "I have nothing to say about it. That's the past now, I just want to focus on Newcastle, that's the best thing. "I have already said that it wasn't about the medical. I am glad it is clear now. I am fit." Newcastle's 12th-place finish in their first season back in the top flight was a more than creditable return, and an assault on the top 10 is among the more modest of their targets for the new campaign. Pardew is confident that the likes of Marveaux, compatriot Cabaye and Senegal international striker Demba Ba will strengthen the team significantly. Asked about his ambitions for the campaign, Marveaux said: "I don't know - to do better than last season and maybe be one of the best teams in England. "But I know it is very hard. The season is very long, there are a lot of matches, a lot of big teams, so we will see." On a personal level, the midfielder is hoping the exposure English football will give him will help to promote his cause on the senior international front, although he is conscious that will only come if his club form merits it. Marveaux said: "First of all, I have to do great work here to be called. "The most important thing now is my new club and my new life. I will do my best to make it."
