Joe White is ready for his 'next challenge' after making his competitive return to action for Newcastle United U21s. 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 their 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 Turner-Cooke in the Magpies engine room.
The talented teenager signed a new contract in March, naming Eddie Howe as the main reason for committing his future to the Magpies having previously been linked with a move away. White regularly trained 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.
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Newcastle held a two-goal advantage at the break at Whitley Park when the 19-year-old was withdrawn as a pre-planned precautionary measure.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 Elliott Dickman was pleased with the playmaker's display, and admits a second loan move would be to the youngster's 'benefit' when asked about his future.
Dickman told ChronicleLive: "He has been struggling with a little injury, but he's back now and fully fit. He's had a good number days of training, and he's looked really good.
"I think the 45 minutes he's 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 he's here, we will be working with him. If he's not and he's going on loan, then somebody will inform me if that's the case. I think for him, if he does manage to go out on loan, I think it will benefit him as he was out last season.
"From what I've seen in the short space of time since his return from injury, he's ready for that next challenge. In terms of how that looks for him going forward, that will be decided by others."
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