Bailey gunning for glory ahead of Arsenal trip | OneFootball

Diarmuid O'Carroll's side take on the Gunners at Meadow Park, home of National League South side Boreham Wood, aiming to bounce back from a difficult 6-3 home defeat against Leicester City last week, despite recording a total of 23 shots against the Foxes' second-string.

Bailey, who signed his first professional contract with the Magpies last summer, is determined United's youngsters can get back on track in their bid to, ultimately, secure a top 16 spot in the 26-team division and ensure qualification into the Premier League 2 play-offs.

The 19-year-old midfielder, who joined United's youth set-up as a nine-year-old, told newcastleunited.com: "We have been out on the training pitch, trying to see what went wrong against Leicester and, as a team, it's important that we bounce back from two losses in the league. Going down to Arsenal is a good place to prove a point.

"It was hard to concede six goals. I thought we did well to fight our way back into the game but it's hard to do that when you concede that amount so we need to make sure that it doesn't happen again.

"When we looked back at the game, we'd seen we had 23 shots and we were happy with the fact we had that many chances but it's about trying to put more in the back of the net.

"We're desperate to get into the play-offs. We started the season really well and we're hoping we can finish the season strongly and qualify."

Bailey has started the last five matches for Newcastle's under-21 side and has relished his return to the football pitch in recent months after previously suffering a number of long-term injuries, including a torn hamstring which required surgery.

The young Magpies face three fixtures in the space of seven days, including a National League Cup quarter-final tie at Altrincham on Tuesday night, and Bailey is keen to conclude his first full season at under-21 level in successful fashion.

"I'm really enjoying that I'm getting a run of games in the squad," the Durham-born teenager added. "I've been injured for quite a while so I enjoy playing a game or two every week. It's a good feeling to be back on the pitch.

"I've also enjoyed the mixtures of teams we face, whether that is in the Premier League 2 or against senior sides, and it's a good experience being exposed to both sides of the game.

"We're hoping we can get some silverware this season. We're in the final stages of a couple of tournaments so if we can get into the play-offs and win a trophy, we'd be really happy."

Supporters can gain free admission for Newcastle United Under-21s' Premier League 2 trip to Arsenal on Friday, 21st February at Meadow Park.