OPINION
Newcastle face Bundesliga side Mainz on Saturday in another pre-season friendly and it could be a particularly crucial game for youngster Rolando Aarons.
The 21-year-old winger has looked superb for the Magpies this summer during the club’s friendly matches and is hoping to force his way into contention for a starting XI position.
He endured a cruel campaign last year as a serious knee injury meant that he managed just five appearances across all competitions.
Aarons’ form this summer has suggested that he is back to his best and another strong performance against Mainz could put him firmly in Rafael Benitez’s plans for the Premier League opener against Tottenham.
The Englishman is a product of the club’s academy and has racked up 22 senior appearances for them.
He managed to break into Newcastle’s first team during their relegation in the 2015/16 campaign and will now be hoping to make up for that in the new season.
Aarons is blessed with lightning pace and good technical ability, something which could make him a real asset to Benitez’s side.
However, he is facing very tough competition to obtain a permanent starting role and as it stands is likely to make do with a place on the bench.
Matt Ritchie was a star performer on the right wing during the club’s promotion winning season, while they have also welcomed a new wide man in the shape of £12million ace Jacob Murphy.
Newcastle fans are keen on Aarons making a serious impact in the first team and it may only take one more stellar performance to convince Benitez the same.