Newcastle midfielder back in training

Siem de Jong is back training for Newcastle United, according to his Twitter account.

The last X-ray was all good! So tomorrow I will start training for myself again. #NUFC #comebackstronger

— Siem de Jong (@siemdejong) March 18, 2015

The 25 year-old Holland international was arguably Newcastle's prize signing over the summer, but a thigh injury in September sidelined him before he really got started. As he neared a return in February, he suffered a collapsed lung for the second time in his career, pushing his return back what was estimated to be about 8 weeks at the time. Five weeks later, it appears that he has been given the all clear to begin training.

A return date is not known yet, obviously, but at least it's a bit of good news for a club who have had anything but in recent weeks. Injuries, suspensions, and loans have left the squad paper-thin. The introduction of de Jong could just inject some life into a team that is clearly limping to the finish.

These days, I'll take my optimism anywhere I can find it. This is good news.