STEVE McCLAREN has highlighted Aleksandar Mitrovic as the key figure in his new-look Newcastle United set-up.

Mitrovic returned from a three-match suspension to deliver an eye-catching display as the Magpies claimed their third point of the season in Saturday’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea.

The Serbian striker was a handful all game, with his physical approach and aerial ability asking serious questions of Chelsea’s centre-half pairing of Gary Cahill and Kurt Zouma.

Newcastle failed to carry much of an attacking threat in the three games Mitrovic was forced to miss following his dismissal against Arsenal, and McClaren admits the return of the £12m summer signing has provided a timely boost.

“We have missed him,” said the Newcastle head coach. “The way we want to play, we need a damn good centre-forward. He showed what he brings in terms of being a team player.

“We can build a team around him. I think he has learned a lot (following his red card). He’s going to be a good player.”

Having watched his side suffer the humiliation of a Capital One Cup defeat to Sheffield Wednesday in midweek, McClaren was delighted to see his players answer their critics with a much-improved display against the reigning Premier League champions.

Ayoze Perez and Georginio Wijnaldum fired Newcastle into a two-goal lead, and while late strikes from Ramires and Willian mean the Magpies are still searching for their first Premier League victory, Saturday’s performance has established a benchmark for the remainder of the campaign.

“We were so close to a great win,” said McClaren. “Then at 2-2, you think we could win it or lose it. The key thing was the way we played. We told the players to end the week well, and their attitudes were magnificent.

“The crowd responded to that and we played some very good football. We looked a team – that was more like it.

“That’s the benchmark. We’ve shown the standard in terms of attitude. I wish we’d have won, but I think the belief has been there. It needs to grow.

“We’re changing a lot of things. We’ve had a lot of bad luck and bad fixtures. It’s been difficult, but you stick together through those times and I hope we go on from this.”