Sterry hopes to keep catching the eye in pre-season

The 23-year-old set up Yoshinori Muto's winning goal with a fantastic cross as well as limiting the threat of the Hammers' Brazilian international winger Felipe Anderson as the Magpies recorded a clean sheet.

And, with DeAndre Yedlin yet to feature in pre-season after undergoing a successful groin operation in May, Sterry is looking to make the most of his chance under new head coach Steve Bruce.

Having made his debut under Rafa Benítez against Tottenham in the Premier League in May 2016, Sterry has made seven more competitive appearances in all competitions in between loan spells with Coventry City and Crewe.

But his willingness to get forward and deliver from wide areas caught the eye against West Ham and Sterry said: "I put a couple in; the first one, the keeper just got a hold of when I tried to put it across the box, but whenever I play I always want to cross the ball as much as I can. Even last year when I was down with the under-23s, people know I just want to cross as much as I can.

"I got a bit of license to go forward and cross the ball, especially with the five at the back, so I really enjoyed it. The people in the box know I want to cross the ball."

Asked how much he felt the wing-back position suited him, Sterry told nufc.co.uk: "It was very tough with the heat for me and Matty (Ritchie) but I always like to get forward, and even with the defence I know I've got to be nice and aggressive to defend, especially against a top player like Felipe Anderson. It was tough but I really enjoyed it and hopefully I'll get some more opportunities."

United were well beaten by Wolves in their opening Premier League Asia Trophy game but responded with a much-improved display against West Ham, with Bruce watching from the stand having joined his new charges in China last Thursday.

"We worked really hard, we seemed to be a lot more relaxed on the ball and we had a good shape to us; we knew where to play, who was moving where," explained Sterry. "We had a couple of tough days of training - the Friday was one of the toughest days - but it was good and I think everyone enjoyed it.

"It was similar when Ben (Dawson) was there, but (Bruce) has had a huge impact and everyone's looking forward to the season starting.

"It's a big opportunity, especially for me and the younger lads. These are the biggest chances to impress and work as hard as we can, and just do the best we can do. On Saturday, I think it showed, especially with the younger lads coming on, and it was good to see Sean (Longstaff) back as well after being out for so long."

Newcastle now take on Preston North End on Saturday, after a trip to Deepdale was added to United's pre-season schedule last week, and Sterry says he and his team-mates are pleased to have the additional game before heading to Hibernian next week and ending their warm-up fixtures against Ligue 1 side Saint-Étienne next month.

"It's an extra chance to impress, and gain fitness," Sterry said of the Preston match. "The more games we can play before we play against Arsenal, the better so everyone's buzzing with that, and hopefully we'll do well."