Tom Allan is hopeful Newcastle United Under-23s can finish their season on a high ahead of Friday's Premier League 2 visit of Aston Villa.
Chris Hogg and Peter Ramage's side take on their Villans counterparts at Whitley Park (kick-off 7pm BST) in the young Magpies' final Premier League 2 fixture of the 2020/21 campaign.
The two sides recently went head-to-head on Sunday afternoon, with United's second-string claiming a 1-1 draw at Bodymoor Heath and Allan, who scored a late leveller against Villa, is hopeful Newcastle's youngsters can continue where they left off at the weekend.
"It would be good to go out with a win," the 21-year-old forward told nufc.co.uk. "I haven't been here for the majority of the season but since I've been back, there has been improvements since the start of the season and we'll looking to finish on a high.
"We weren't really happy with a draw against Villa. It was a game of two halves. We were under a lot of pressure in the first-half and then we had a chat at half-time and gave it a good go in the second.
"In the second-half, we showed a lot more determination to go and win the game whereas, in the first-half, we weren't quite at it. If we start the game the way we finished it, we hopefully should have no problems.
"Personally, it was nice to get a goal but, for the team, we were disappointed with only a point because we know we can play a lot better. Luckily, we play the same team again on Friday and have a chance to put it right."
After scoring against Villa, Allan - who made his senior debut for his boyhood club during the Magpies' Emirates FA Cup win against Rochdale in January 2020 - took his goalscoring tally to four in seven league matches at under-23 level.
The Ashington-born youngster admitted it has been a difficult season after suffering a quadricep strain in October whilst on loan at League One Accrington Stanley, resulting in a four month spell on the sidelines, but believes he is rediscovering the goalscoring form which saw him net 17 times in all competitions last term.
He added: "This year has been injuries and niggle after niggle for me. I've never really hit the ground running but since I've returned to Newcastle, I've been scoring goals again so it's been good. Hopefully, I can score a couple more on Friday and then, in pre-season, hit the ground running.
"On a personal note, it's not been the year I've expected. I'd never been injured before and if something could go wrong, it happened this year! I'm back at Newcastle now, scoring goals like I did last season so I need to keep doing what I'm doing.
"We then have the break to rest and recover, which will be good for my body, and we'll see what happens in pre-season."