Santiago Munoz admits his 'special' Newcastle United first-team debut at St James' Park has left him hungrier for more opportunities to impress Eddie Howe. The Mexican prospect was awarded his senior bow by the head coach as a late substitute in the friendly victory over Athletic Bilbao.
A hamstring injury hampered Munoz's start to life in black-and-white following his 18-month loan deal from Santos Laguna last summer. However, the 19-year-old did score on his St James' Park debut in a thrilling comeback victory against West Brom's under-23s in March.
Munoz was one of a quartet of academy prospects to join Newcastle's first team in their pre-season preparations in Portugal. The young forward did not feature in the Eusebio Cup defeat to Benfica, but did make his first-team debut alongside Lucas De Bolle with late cameos against Athletic Bilbao.
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Munoz admits it was 'very special' to achieve this milestone in front of a home crowd of just shy of 47,000. Ahead of his second season in England, the Mexican under-23 international feels settled on Tyneside and is desperate to kick on with the Magpies.
Munoz told the club's website: "It was very good experience to travel with the first-team to Portugal. I got to know some of the players and I took a lot of positives from it. I learnt a lot, how they train and play and it gives me an idea of how to continue moving forward.
"I also got to make my first-team debut for Newcastle, playing at St. James' Park. It was something very special. It was an incredible atmosphere, playing in front of so many fans, and it gives me inspiration to keep working and to do my thing.
"Those experiences make me want it more. I want to be playing at that level regularly and it's in me to keep working. At the minute, I am confident and happy with the team, club and city.
"I have been working hard, watching a lot of videos and carrying out meetings with coaches and staff. I think I am improving and I aim to continue doing that."
Munoz started for the under-21s in their opening Premier League 2 fixture at West Brom on Monday evening. Elliott Dickman's side went in front when substitute Michael Ndiweni was rewarded for chasing down Ronnie Hollingshead as the goalkeeper's clearance ricocheted into his own net.
However, United's under-21s ultimately fell to defeat as a late Reyes Cleary brace snatched the victory. The forward equalised in the 89th minute with a drilled effort past Max Thompson, before beating the goalkeeper with another powerful strike just three minutes later to seal the win for the Baggies.
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