Crossley aiming to continue unbeaten streak

The young Magpies, who take on the Blades' second-string at United's Little Benton Academy, began their preparations for the 2022/23 Premier League 2 campaign in strong fashion, defeating La Liga side Elche 2-1 during a six-day training camp in Pinatar before claiming a 3-1 away win at Blackburn Rovers.

Crossley, who celebrated his 18th birthday last weekend, opened the scoring against Rovers' second-string at Brockhall and is hopeful of sustaining positive performances both collectively and individually.

The left winger, who resides in Murton, told nufc.co.uk: "For the first two pre-season games, we've all kicked on and I've managed to score in the second match (against Blackburn). Hopefully, I can carry on that and try to get another goal against Sheffield United.

"Scoring is a confidence boost. When I'm in front in goal, it will make me more relaxed knowing I've already got that goal and I am capable of scoring.

"Winning games during pre-season matches before the league season starts can help us a lot. If you're losing four out of four then your team bonding isn't going to be brilliant.

"When we we went to the training camp, playing and winning against such a professional team, the atmosphere after that game was unreal! In the Blackburn game, nobody was having a go at each other and it was all very encouraging."

Crossley, who scored on his under-21s debut against Crystal Palace as a 16-year-old in April 2021, signed his first professional contract with the Magpies earlier this month and is reaping the benefits of the young Magpies' warm-weather trip abroad a fortnight ago.

The rapid teenager, who joined United's Academy from Morecambe in February 2020, revealed he is continuing to learn each day after making the step up from under-18 to under-21 level.

The 18-year-old added: "I think the training camp in Spain really helped us in terms of fitness, training in 30 degree heat and then playing against a professional club like Elche did change the way we played.

"For players my age who've signed professionally, the trip away brought us closer to the team and the older lads made all of us talk a lot more and bring us together in our spare time, whether you're speaking to each other or even going out for walks, which has helped a lot.

"Everything is a lot different to under-18 level and much more intense and faster compared to last season. It's good, though, because it's making us much fitter, with double sessions twice a week so we're going well."