Ivan Toney Watch - How Did Newcastle Youngster Perform In Front Of McClaren?

If Steve McClaren and Lee Charnley's presence at Newcastle United's Benton training base for the Magpies' Under-21 clash with Blackburn Rovers was a talking point, they were not the main attraction of the night. Nor too were centre-back Mike Williamson, who watched on from the side of the pitch, Paul Dummett, or even first-team coach Paul Simpson. In fact, although you would expect McClaren to attend as many Under-21 clashes as possible, there was the slight suspicion that the Magpies head coach made a point of arriving for this game in order to see one particular player in action - Newcastle's fourth summer signing, Ivan Toney.

The arrival of Toney from Northampton Town happened somewhat under the radar - perhaps unsurprisingly given that the Magpies have spent close to £35 million collectively on first-teamers Aleksandar Mitrovic, Georginio Wijnaldum and Chancel Mbemba - but his move to Tyneside is also intriguing. Labelled a "wonderkid" in the past, the 19-year-old made his Cobblers debut at the of just 16 and his arrival at Newcastle somewhat mirrors that of Ayoze Perez 12 months ago. Largely unknown in these parts, but someone who the Magpies believe they can nurture into something special. So what of the youngster's home debut? What exactly will McClaren have taken away from the 1-1 draw at Whitley Park? Well, although Toney did not exactly set the world alight, it will have become evident to McClaren that the forward is closer to the first team than many of his Under-21 counterparts - yet, on the evidence of Monday evening, even the ex-Northampton striker still has work to do.

In the first-half Toney was lively though, and it took him just four minutes to register a shot. Played in by Gael Bigirimana, who did not have his best game in truth, Toney turned on the edge of the area and smashed a shot goalwards, which Blackburn keeper Simon Eastwood was forced to tip wide. Then, just moments later, Toney was in the thick of the action again as he broke down the right then whipped in a dangerous cross, which the on-rushing Liam Smith could not quite connect with. While his teammates struggled to keep hold of possession and feed him the ball, Toney did not shrug. Instead he continued to harry the Rovers defence. He almost got himself on the end of a delicious whipped cross from substitute Jamie Sterry in the 24th minute, but was thwarted by some good defending. From the opening 45 minutes, the evidence suggested that, not only is Toney willing to tirelessly make runs and move around the opposition defence, he is also strong enough to hold the ball up - even if his touch at close quarters does need a little bit of refinement. In truth, the second-half largely passed Toney by until the last 10 minutes, with the forward frustrated with himself for repeatedly giving the ball away on the rare occasions he was actually picked out by a teammate.

But, as the game reached its denouement, Toney sprung back into life. First, in the 80th minute, Toney picked the ball up centrally and fired a 30-yarder goalwards, which surprised Eastwood between the sticks and he could only parry it out for a corner. The forward then broke down the left and lashed in a dangerous low ball, which the Rovers defence again forced behind. And, when Kevin Mbabu was scythed down 30 yards own, Toney stepped forward to unleash a 30-yard free-kick, which dipped right in front of Eastwood. From the resulting corner, the forward also attempted an audacious bicycle-kick, but the ball flew a couple of yards wide of the post. It may have been a goalless home debut for Toney, but it was not an unproductive one. He is not ready for the first team quite yet, but McClaren is already watching. Being in the head coach's thoughts already, even his peripheral ones, should be considered a bonus for Toney. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow WhatCulture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.