Remi raring to go after four-month injury lay-off

The young Magpies take on their Potters counterparts at Clayton Wood (kick-off 7pm GMT) aiming to continue their pursuit for the Division Two play-off spots this season with a positive result in Staffordshire.

Savage, who recently returned from an ankle injury sustained in October, believes Newcastle's youngsters can take plenty of positives from their previous Premier League 2 clash against Leeds United, coming from behind twice to salvage a 2-2 draw, as well as Saturday's 4-1 friendly win against Brentford B, with the defender on target against the Bees.

The 21-year-old centre-back, who joined the Magpies' youth set-up from boyhood club Liverpool in June 2021, told nufc.co.uk: "We did well to come back against Leeds and I thought it was a good result in the end. We were the better team in the second-half and we deserved at least a point from that game. We can take a lot of positives from it.

"I was delighted to get on the pitch and gain my first minutes since my injury. I got sent off which wasn't the best start and I felt hard done by, having to accept the referee's decision at the time. After that, we had a look into it with the video and the red card has been rescinded so, hopefully, I'm available for the next game against Stoke.

"It was also good to get 45 minutes in against Brentford (on Saturday) and score my first goal in the black and white shirt which was another positive. It was important to get that victory.

"We know the last few results haven't quite gone the way we have wanted but the style of football we are starting to play and the principles we're applying have been very good. It can take a long time to adapt but I feel we are slowly doing that and hopefully we can show that against Stoke and the result will go in our favour."

Savage has faced two long lay-offs due to injury in recent years, suffering a meniscus injury (tearing of the knee) in November 2021 which left the Scouse defender ruled out for five months before returning to action with United's under-21 side towards the latter stages of the previous campaign.

The 21-year-old revealed the difficulties of facing another lengthy period of the sidelines and, now nearing full fitness, is determined to play a key part in the squad's upcoming fixtures for the remainder of the current term.

"It's been tough," Savage added. "Nobody likes being injured, especially when it was for a long period of time. I was trying to stay positive and the staff, players and physios had been too which helped me a lot.

"I'd been trying to take my mind off it and it was a chance to work on myself, getting stronger and better in the gym. I'm delighted to be back and I want to try and stay fit from now until the end of the season, helping the team and playing as many games as possible.

"At first, it was difficult to take because I'd prepared well through the summer, aiming to get in the best shape possible so to then, after a few months of the season, start getting another injury was a big blow. 

"I've been out long-term before and I knew what was expected of me. The staff have been so helpful which was a really big plus whilst off the pitch and it's now a great feeling to be back on it."