Encouraging display from young winger

NEWCASTLE United may be well stocked in the winger department at the moment - but Victor Fernandez is someone who could yet be pushing for a place in the first-team squad in the not-too-distant future.

It is always dangerous to read too deeply into the performance of any player during a friendly — particularly one consisting of three 45-minute thirds and one in which the quality of opposition was so poor — but there were certainly signs of encouragement from the young Spaniard at the Pinatar Arena.

Rafa Benitez clearly sees some potential in the winger. This was the second time the United manager had called Fernandez away on a training camp, having also taken the talented under-23 wideman away to the Republic of Ireland during pre-season.

On several occasions this term, Fernandez has also been invited to take part in first-team sessions when Benitez has wanted an additional attacker to augment his depleted squad if injuries or suspensions have taken their toll.

Yet this 1-1 friendly draw with Royal Antwerp was in fact Fernandez’s first-team bow.

Introduced at the start of the third period, Fernandez was the stand-out performer during the final 45 minutes.

Deployed on the right — the Spaniard can play anywhere across the frontline but he prefers to be out wide so he can use his trickery and then whip crosses into the box — Fernandez gave Antwerp leftback Jelle van Damme a torrid afternoon.

Within three minutes of his introduction, Fernandez had linked up well with Dwight Gayle and, after a one-two, the 19-year-old saw a low shot saved well.

During a final 45-minute period in which Newcastle attacked almost relentlessly, Fernandez was able to display some of his undoubted promise — another opportunity came his way late on but again he was denied — and Benitez himself even singled out the young winger for praise during his post-match press debrief.

Fernandez needs to progress further, strengthen physically and develop his in-game nous if he does want to make it at Newcastle - but Benitez clearly sees promise and flair in this young winger.

It is unlikely Fernandez will see further first-team action this term but, come pre-season, on the evidence of this cameo Benitez will probably want to take another look at his young compatriot.