Cataldo, who joined from Crystal Palace Women in January 2023, has racked up 29 appearances in black and white but is still searching for that elusive first goal in front of the United faithful.

Newcastle's number 99 came agonisingly close to getting on the scoresheet last weekend against her former club, Crystal Palace, when her first-half strike spun off the far post - something she saw as a step in the right direction.

"Hitting the post last weekend, well, I don't think I've hit the post from a shot in about ten years, so I'm definitely getting closer," she told newcastleunited.com.

"I do think it will come, and hopefully it's this season, but I know for that to happen, I need to give myself more opportunities by being higher up the pitch.

"The more I do that, the more chances that will come my way, so that's something I'm working on a lot more, especially because that's an important part of a full back's game nowadays, being available in the final third."

One thing that looked to be a potential setback for Cataldo earlier this season was losing her spot in the starting line-up after featuring in 18 games last term.

However, the 24-year-old acknowledged the position she found herself in and accepted rotation was going to be a part of the campaign, given the impressive depth United boast in every position.

Now, having begun the first two games on the bench, she's started the previous three league encounters, albeit in different positions - something she admits to being comfortable with.

"It was quite a tough start to the season, especially considering I thought I had a pretty big role in the team last season," she said. "I know we've got a very competitive squad this year, so while it was a tough situation for me to be in, I never got too down.

"As players, that's something we can't do, get down easily. We've got an impressive squad, which means rotation is going to be a thing this season, and everyone is going to be needed at some point.

"Whether that's players who are starting games, or ones coming off the bench to make an impact, we're all going to play a role and be asked to contribute.

"Wing-back is obviously slightly different to being a traditional full back, but as long as I'm somewhere wide on the pitch, then I'll always be pretty happy."

Cataldo started the dramatic draw at Palace last Sunday and is taking confidence from the last 15 minutes, in which she saw her side create a plethora of chances despite a slow first 75 minutes.

United have found themselves frustrated in games this season and sometimes unable to provide that finishing touch in the final, but Cataldo has seen enough from her side, while also calling on others to take the pressure off the attacking players.

"Last weekend showed that we've still got that bite in us, and when we step it up and go to that next level, we can create chances and score goals.

"In those last 15 minutes, I think we created more chances than the 75 minutes before it, which was positive because we know how good we can be, but attackingly, I think as defensive players, we can help contribute going forward a bit more.

"We've been working on things in training this week that we believe will be important for Sunday, while also having some good and honest analysis sessions to put us in the best position possible."

Fresh off the back of facing one of her former clubs last week, the Peterborough-born right back is now gearing up to face another one, but this time it's one with which she won a WSL2 title.

United faced Bristol City in a pre-season friendly, which saw the Lasses go down 2-0, but Cataldo is adamant that they are only focused on themselves and what they can do to win the game.

She added: "Their team, and the club in general, is very different from when I was there as they've got new players, coaches and a different style of play.

"This league is so mad and competitive that nobody can predict any result, so we know this won't be an easy game.

"We're focusing more on ourselves and what we can do than what Bristol can do."