Lee Ryder has claimed that Newcastle United academy starlet Victor Fernandez is once again pushing for a first-team chance after a string of impressive performances.
The Chronicle journalist shared that the 21-year-old winger is back to the top of his game after missing the majority of last season with a heel injury that required surgery after taking part in training with Rafael Benitez.
“Newcastle United’s forgotten Spanish winger Victor Fernandez is pushing again for first-team recognition,” he wrote.
The 21-year-old is now fully fit and pushing for a chance under Steve Bruce by continuing his form in the under-23s, after suffering a dreadful campaign last year.
Fernandez played a starring role in the young Magpies’ recent victory over Sunderland, scoring a goal, and receiving glowing praise from his manager Neil Redfearn.
“He was mercurial,” he told the Chronicle.
“In the first half he was unplayable, it was like tackling smoke.”
OPINION
The 21-year-old couldn’t have wished for a better start this season after being plagued with injuries in the last campaign. Redfearn will surely be in close contact with Bruce as the season continues and players such as Fernandez will be crossing their fingers that they can do enough to catch the attention of the senior boss to grab a chance to train with the first-team. The Spaniard will already be on the radar of the senior side after training with them last season, and the Magpies will have been wanting to see how he recovered from his first major setback before making any decisions, with the early proof looking excellent. There is no better way to grab the attention of the Magpies’ faithful than scoring a goal against their rivals Sunderland, and Fernandez did just that and was phenomenal in the derby game. To be described as unplayable by your manager is one of the ultimate compliments, and Fernandez will hope that if he can continue that form, it won’t be long till he is in-and-around the first team set up.
