Magpies chairman berates fans

Chris Smalling is confident that he has completely shaken off the fitness problems kept him out of the start to the season.

The Manchester United defender did not play until November due to a broken metatarsal suffered in pre-season training, this injury coming hot on the heels of the groin problem that forced him out of the England squad for Euro 2012.

With 12 appearances under his belt since his return, the 23-year-old feels he is growing more confident with every game.

"I feel good, I've been able to play a few games now and it's just a case of keeping that going," said Smalling.

"The more games you have the more you get into a rhythm and the more confident you feel.

"I just want to stay injury-free now and hopefully go on a good run; there are lots of important matches coming up."

The England international faces strong competition for a place in Sir Alex Ferguson's back four but was back in contention for a place in as soon as his recovery was complete.

"It's been one of the worst (injury setbacks) I've had. It's never easy to miss the start of the season and then come back into it but I'm fortunate that I've started to get back into the team," Smalling added.

"The main thing you focus on when you get back is getting into a rhythm.

"You've missed out while everyone has been playing and doing well so it makes you focus harder to get yourself back to being better than you were before."

Trew says he is not prepared to invest any more money into the club because of failing attendances and poor backing from the terraces.

Posting on a fans' messageboard, Trew also added he cannot finance the Magpies' League One promotion push any further because of salary restrictions.

He has invested ?12million since taking over in 2010 and said: "I am not prepared to increase that sum. And the only way I will inject further monies is in the form of loans."

Keith Curle's side have slipped six points adrift of the play-off places, winning just once in eight league matches, but the departure of one of the club's biggest wage earners, Lee Hughes, is likely to free up money to bring in new faces.

But Trew added on Notts County Mad: "If I am being totally honest I am not motivated to even do that (fund loans) currently because I am not being supported by you, the fan base.

"Whilst I am disillusioned at the moment with the falling attendances (which is now severely impacting on the club's cash-flow), it is not in my character to give up on anything, so despite postings and rumours to the contrary, I will state for the record that myself and my wife are here to stay."