White looking sharp as he makes return

JOE White is ready for his ‘next challenge’ after making his competitive return to action for Newcastle United Under-21s.

The highly-rated midfielder made his first start of the season on Friday night as the young Magpies thrashed Derby County to pick up their first win of the new campaign.

Elliot Dickman’s side had lost its opening three Premier League 2 fixtures but braces from Kyle Crossley and Dylan Stephenson sealed a comfortable 4-0 victory.

White missed these defeats through injury but looked sharp on his return alongside Jay Turnercooke in the Magpies’ engine room.

He signed a new contract in March, naming Eddie Howe as the main reason for committing his future to the Magpies having been linked with a move away.

White trained regularly with Newcastle’s first-team before spending the second half of last season on loan with Hartlepool United, making 16 appearances for the League Two side.

Newcastle held a two-goal advantage at the break at Whitley Park when the 19-year-old was withdrawn as a pre-planned precautionary measure.

United’s under-21s’ coach Dickman was pleased with the playmaker’s display and admits a second loan move would be to the youngster’s ‘benefit’ when asked about White’s future.

Dickman said: “Joe has been struggling with a little injury but he is back now and fully fit. He has had a good number days of training and has looked really good.

“I think the 45 minutes he had today will help him and I thought he helped the team and carried out what we asked of him to the letter.

“He looked quite sharp, he will be better for the 45 minutes and I think he enjoyed it.”

“If Joe does manage to go out on loan I think it will benefit him.”