Starlet Mcarthur targets a return - and a place in first team

CHARLIE Mcarthur has ‘really enjoyed’ his debut season with Newcastle United despite injury limiting the summer signing to just three youth appearances.

The former Kilmarnock prospect arrived at St James’ Park in July last year, only to spend much of the campaign on the sidelines after suffering a knee injury against Sunderland just two months later.

Mcarthur captained Scotland at the European Under-17 Championship in Israel prior to his transfer, having made his senior debut for the Scottish Premiership side in October 2021.

Newcastle saw off competition from Premier League rivals for the now 18-year-old and the centre-back looks set to make the step up to under-21 level for next season.

Reflecting on his debut season on

Tyneside, Mcarthur said: “Even though I have been injured for the majority of the season I have enjoyed my first season with Newcastle.

“When I first joined, I had some games for the under-18s and thought I was doing well up until that.

“Despite taking a turn for the worse with an injury, I have still never taken a day for granted and have been working to get back as quickly as possible.

“For me, the most important thing when I have been out is that it has given me the opportunity to develop physically.

“Hopefully when I come back I can push for the under-21s and then the first team.”

Mcarthur hopes to return to full fitness in time for pre-season, and has not been shy in outlining his firstteam ambition in the next campaign.

He added: “I am back on the grass now and training. The plan is to get fully fit for pre-season, get a good run of games under my belt and take it from there.”