Yarney on lure of playing for Benitez

JOSEF Yarney admits the lure of playing for a world-class manager like Rafa Benitez at such a “big club” convinced him to sign for Newcastle United.

The 19-year-old centre-back joined the Magpies from Everton earlier this summer and has ambitions to break into the Newcastle first team this season.

Yarney made his debut for the United Under-23 side who won 2-1 in a pre-season friendly at Darlington on Monday evening as a second-half substitute

And the defender insists he had no hesitation in leaving his native Merseyside for Newcastle once he first learned of the Magpies’ interest back in April.

“It’s all been great since I signed here. I’ve really enjoyed it - training with the lads and everything, it’s been great,” Yarney explained following his debut.

“It’s a big club and that’s what attracted me first really.

“I first came up here in April and, as soon as I got the word that they wanted me, I said to myself: ‘Right, I’m straight there.’

“Of course seeing a big manager like that [Benitez] at Newcastle attracted me here.

“He’s up there as one of the very best managers in the world and he’s doing a good job at Newcastle.

“To be able to potentially work with him is great.”

Yarney was part of the side who took to the field for the second period at Darlington, with coach Peter Beardsley opting to field entirely-different XIs in each half.

The centre-back is looking forward to working with the Newcastle legend, who also enjoyed a two-year stint at Everton in the early-1990s.

“It’s brilliant working for somebody like Peter Beardsley,” Yarney added. “He’s got all the experience - he’s been there, done it all before and got the T-shirt.

“He’s passing all his experience on to us and that’s exactly the sort of influence we all need.”

Yarney did not sign for Newcastle to merely play for the Under-23s, however.

He is determined to break into Benitez’s first-team plans, whether that takes one month or 12.

“It was great to get out there and blow the cobwebs off in the first game,” Yarney added.

“We’ve been back training now for about two weeks just at the training ground, but it was lovely to get back out on the pitch.

“I’m hoping to get gametime in the Checkatrade trophy and for the Under-23s.”