Newcastle United under-21s boss Ben Dawson has praised Ben Parkinson's start to life with the second string. The teenage forward has made the step up to the second string since the turn of the year, and has scoring twice in four appearances so far.
Parkinson is one of several prospects to be handed more game-time since Dawson's appointment as Elliot Dickman's successor in January. The versatile attacker celebrated his 18th birthday last week, and has been joined in making the up from under-18 level this year by defender Ciaran Thompson.
Parkinson was handed his first start in the derby defeat at Sunderland in January, and then opened his account at under-21 level in the draw with Leeds United. The Magpies forward was then shifted to the right flank but again scored against Stoke City, and Dawson has been encouraged by what he has seen so far.
