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Steve McClaren hopes Aleksandar Mitrovic’s winning goal against West Bromwich Albion can give the Newcastle United striker the confidence to go on the sort of scoring run that will fire the Magpies to safety.

The Serbian missed a golden chance from just three yards out early on against the Baggies, and he was deemed to be offside for Cheick Tiote’s disallowed goal, but he kept his composure to latch on to a Jonjo Shelvey through-ball and curl an effort past an on-rushing Ben Foster in the 32nd minute.

Mitrovic’s finishing has come under scrutiny in recent weeks as the 21-year-old has missed a series of good opportunities, but McClaren hopes the Serbian can now find the same “belief” that has seen Jamie Vardy top the scoring charts.

Last season, Vardy netted just five goals in 34 Premier League appearances - yet this year he has scored 18 goals in just 25 games for table-topping Leicester City.

With belief, Mitrovic can go on a goalscoring run of his own, insists McClaren.

“I hope that (goal) boosts him (Mitrovic) and gives him belief,” McClaren said.

“That’s what goalscoring is all about.

“When you look at the boy Vardy - I don’t know how many he got last season and how many he’s got this season - but it just shows you confidence and that’s a striker’s game.”

What has impressed McClaren most about Mitrovic though has been his dedication off the field.

The United head coach explained that the £13million summer signing has been staying behind an extra two hours after training in order to practise his finishing.

Such commitment can see the forward improve his scoring return of five goals in 21 Premier League appearances, believes McClaren.

The United boss added: “He’s never shied away from anything and I’ve always said that.

“He’s had his critics, but he’s 21 years old and he leads the line and fights. He’s in the box, he’s there to miss.

“He’s doing an extra two hours’ worth of training every day and I’ve been trying to get him off (the training field), but that’s because he wants it so much.”

Much was made during the January transfer window about Newcastle’s need to sign a striker capable of scoring the number of goals that would keep them in the top flight.

So does McClaren believe they’ve had that forward in their ranks all season anyway?

“We’ve believed that, but now they’ve just got to do it.”

One forward who did arrive through the door during the recent window was Seydou Doumbia.

The 28-year-old Ivorian signed on an initial loan deal until the end of the season from Roma, but he has been an unused substitute in each of the last two games.

But McClaren revealed the former CSKA Moscow hitman will play for the Magpies’ Under-21 side against Stoke City on Monday evening in order to gain match fitness.

Asked about Doumbia, McClaren said: “We’ve got a game on Monday so he’ll get some minutes.

“He’s only trained a couple of days. We wanted to throw him on (against West Brom) but we kept Mitro on for the set-plays.”