Toon youth ace ‘enjoyed’ year despite injury woes

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 under-17 European 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 told the matchday programme last month: “Even though I’ve been injured for the majority of the season, I’ve really enjoyed my first season with Newcastle. When I first joined, I got 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’ve 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’ve 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 as I think I’m physically ready to go and deal with the players that I’ll be coming up against.”

McArthur feels the lengthy time out of action has allowed him to ‘develop different aspects of my game’, as well as granting him time to study Newcastle’s senior defenders in detail.

The academy prospect hopes to return to full fitness in time for pre-season, and has not been shy in outlining his first-team ambition for the next campaign.

The teenager added: “I’m back on the grass now and training. The plan is to get fully fit for preseason, get a good run of games under my belt and take it from there.

“It’s an achievement to move into under-21s football for any player and I’m really looking forward to it.

“After being injured for so long, I’m looking to get established in the team and try to become a regular starter in the squad.

“The end goal is to get up into the first team and be in and around the squad.

“Throughout the next season, that’s what I’ll be aiming for - to play games, play well and hopefully get in amongst the first team squad.”