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Promising Newcastle United winger Victor Fernandez is determined to catch Rafa Benitez's attention once again as he nears the end of a "frustrating" spell on the sidelines.

The 20-year-old Spaniard has not featured for the Magpies' second-string side since the opening match of the Premier League 2 season back in August due to a niggling heel injury.

Having impressed first-team manager Benitez over the course of the past 12 months, it has been a frustrating period for Fernandez.

Not only was the winger involved heavily involved during each of United's last two pre-season campaigns, he also made his first-team debut in a friendly out in Spain back in March.

However, Fernandez has been unable to build on that progress so far this season, but the winger insists he is closing in on a return for Ben Dawson's reserves.

"It is always frustrating to miss training sessions and games because of an injury," Fernandez - who has returned to his native Barcelona for a short rest during the international break - tweeted.

"I have no other choice than accepting it, keep working, and coming back strong. Finally facing the final stretch of the recovery process, with [a] full desire to come back and compete. Let's go!"

(Image: Newcastle United)

Back in March, Benitez handed Fernandez his first-team chance as the winger played the final third of Newcastle's bespoke 135-minute friendly against Belgian outfit Royal Antwerp at the Pinatar Arena in Spain.

After the match, the 20-year-old admitted he had relished the experience, and stressed that he still holds ambitions to break permanently into the first-team set up.

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“Of course I want to play for the first team. Any opportunity I can I want to train and play with the first team,” Fernandez told Chronicle Live out in Spain.

“Always when I am called across to train with the first team it’s a pleasure for me to be with them and get experience. I want to learn the game they play, which is different and a step up.

“It is an honour to play for him [Benitez] and for this team, and I want to experience it again.”