Newcastle United head coach Steve McClaren has insisted that he was not concerned by the performance that new signing Aleksandar Mitrovic produced during last night's friendly against York City.

The young striker, who recently arrived on Tyneside from Anderlecht, missed a number of chances in the 2-1 loss at Bootham Crescent.

However, McClaren has backed the 20-year-old to become a "bit of a devil" as soon as he becomes match fit.

"It was good to see Mitrovic playing. He has not trained for a couple of weeks and needs minutes," the Newcastle Chronicle quotes the former England boss as saying.

"He has only had 24 hours, trained then played. He is a good lad and he had a smile on his face. Once he crosses the white line he is a bit of devil."

Mitrovic scored 44 goals in 90 outings for Anderlecht following his arrival two years ago from Partizan.

Written by
Liam Apicella