Young relishes FA Cup experience at Oxford

Young, an ever-present for United's under-23 squad this term, travelled with the Magpies for the first time without making the final 18 for Tuesday's fourth round replay at the Kassam Stadium against the League One outfit.

The 19-year-old midfielder - who signed a first professional contract with his boyhood club last summer - had been involved in first-team training sessions prior to the cup tie and revealed his delight in being told he would be travelling down to the south of England rather than South Wales with the under-23 side.

"I really enjoyed the experience at Oxford," Young told nufc.co.uk. "I learnt a lot from just watching how the players went on in the dressing room and hotel. It was a great achievement as well because it was my first time travelling with the first-team squad.

"It was great to get a taste of what that was like and makes you want more. As a Newcastle fan, it was mad to be around the squad too and warming up on the pitch before the game.

"I packed my bags ready to go to Swansea with the under-23s on Sunday and Ben (Dawson) told me that I wouldn't be travelling with them and going with the first-team instead on the Monday. I couldn't believe it, to be fair, because I wasn't expecting it.

"I went back home to prepare for the next day but it was all really quick and I didn't have too much time to think about it.

Jack Young in first-team training

"I've learnt how professional all the lads are and how serious it is. The preparation and everything that goes into the game are at such a high level. It makes you want to do it more and more and gives you inspiration to keep working hard to try and be there permanently. 

"The details are to the finest, from the food you eat, to the stretching and the way you travel. I thoroughly enjoyed it."

Newcastle United Under-23s are back in Premier League Cup action on Monday afternoon when they travel to Keys Park, home of Hednesford Town, to face West Bromwich Albion.

The young Magpies have already faced the Baggies twice this season, losing 1-0 in the reverse cup fixture at Whitley Park before suffering a stoppage-time defeat in Premier League 2 but head into the Group C clash in a confident mood following an impressive 4-0 win at Swansea.

Young, however, believes Newcastle - who reached the Premier League Cup final last season - are capable of beating their West Midlands opponents at the third time to asking and maintain their hopes of qualification to the knockout stages.

The teenager added: "It's a big game to kick on from because the lads played really well against Swansea, winning 4-0. The week before, training was really good and the lads prepared perfectly for that game and then performed the best they have all season. 

"Hopefully, we can take that into the game against West Brom and push forward in the Premier League Cup because we want more games at the end of the season.

"I think we have something to prove, especially when we played them away last year. We all thought we should have got something out of that game and we really want to put that right. We have felt we've been unlucky in a few games so if we keep on training the way we have been and playing well, then we should be alright."