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Savage anticipating County challenge
Written by Luke Vinton
Remi Savage is hopeful Newcastle United Under-21s can play their own game ahead of Friday's Premier League 2 visit of Derby County (kick-off 7pm BST).
The young Magpies host the Rams' second-string at Whitley Park aiming for a first league victory of the 2022/23 campaign after losing their opening three Division Two fixtures.
Savage, who joined the Magpies' youth set-up from boyhood club Liverpool in the summer of 2021, revealed the squad's desire to register their first points of the season despite a winless start.
The 20-year-old centre-back told nufc.co.uk: "We're really determined to win our first league game of the season. We've been working on ourselves and although the first few games haven't went our way, we have still found positives within that as a group.
"We know we are capable of doing it but we need to make sure we can turn it around against Derby and get our first three points on the board.
"I feel like every game is important. The next match is always the most important one and there is plenty for us to improve on which we have established. If we focus on ourselves, we know how good we can be and we can get the results that we want to achieve.
"We know it will be a challenge. Derby were playing in Division One of the Premier League 2 last season and will have good players, like every team but as long as we play our game, we know what we're capable of."
The young defender recently returned from injury against Stoke City's under-21s earlier this month after suffering an ankle injury during a pre-season friendly at Blackburn Rovers in July.
After completing rehabilitation work at United's Little Benton Academy, Savage is determined to kick on and, now fully recovered, make a positive impact with Newcastle's second-string.
"It was a knock on my ankle which caused swelling," he added. "I had to wait for it to go down whilst getting in the gym and completing rehab work. I'm grateful to be back on the pitch and I feel 100 per cent fit.
"I'm glad to be back and help the team and give my all to make sure we can get our first victory."
Admission for Friday's Premier League 2 clash at Whitley Park is free for season ticket holders, otherwise it's £3 for adults and £1 concessions.