Newcastle considering move for Jesse Lingard

“I know all about him”, Mitrovic said. Premier League defenders are going to kick me from the first minute. That is normal for me.

When Ayoze Perez swapped Tenerife for Newcastle United last summer, very few knew what to think of it. The Magpies’ £1.5 million purchase represented little more than a gamble in the eyes of many, and only time would tell as to what they had uncovered (or failed to unearth, as the case my have been).

The comparisons with Newcastle legend Alan Shearer are obvious. “They show I’m prepared to go in where it hurts”, he acknowledged. “If it means scoring goals, I will put my head anywhere”. >The Chronicle that he is open to playing out of position this season.

And when asked by the Chronicle if he ended up with his desired club, he said: “Yes”.

“On behalf of The FA and especially the goalkeeping department, I would like to thank Simon for his contribution over the last eight years”, said Martin Thomas, The FA’s national goalkeeping coach.

“Of course I had a good season in Anderlecht so I had four or five offers for me”. I play a physical game. “I’ve always loved Newcastle because you can feel the passion of the crowd even when you are watching their games on TV”.

And as for being a devil, Mitrovic will wear the label as a badge of honour.

“We’ll see about that, ‘ Mitrovic replied with a laugh”.

“It is normal if you want to score goals and be the best. You need to want to score in every game and fight hard to achieve it”.

Smith leaves his post with the Football Association to take up a role he previously held with United, as first team goalkeeping coach, from 1999 – 2004.