ALEKSANDAR MITROVIC is hoping to get his season back on track by starring for Serbia in tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier in Georgia.

Mitrovic is set to lead the line in Tbilisi, with Serbia currently sitting in second position in Group D, two points ahead of Wales but two points behind group leaders Republic of Ireland.

The Newcastle United striker has cut a frustrated figure in recent weeks as he was an unused substitute in last weekend’s goalless draw at Birmingham City and was not involved in any of the club’s three previous games.

Rafael Benitez has preferred Daryl Murphy as an alternative to Dwight Gayle, casting significant doubt on Mitrovic’s future on Tyneside beyond the end of the season.

The 22-year-old insists he has been training as hard as possible in an attempt to win back a place in the team, and is hoping this week’s international break will enable him to showcase his credentials ahead of the final eight games of the Championship season.

“We play in a very demanding league with a lot of training and a lot of hard work,” said Mitrovic. “I may not have played in the (recent) games, but I have trained hard. I played in a few (before that), but it has not worked out how I wanted it to in those games.

“The last time I played with the international team, I was not a regular at my club, but I contributed goals in the national team and I was ready. Playing for my country gives me all the motivation to train well.”

It is not just Newcastle’s internationals who are currently away from Tyneside as Haris Vuckic is on trial at Dutch side FC Twente as he prepares to make a permanent exit when his contract expires at the end of the season.

Vuckic played the full 90 minutes as Twente suffered a 3-1 defeat in a friendly against Belgian side Sporting Lokeren, and is set to remain in Holland for a week.

Signed as a promising 16-year-old in 2009, Vuckic has not lived up to his potential, with his only senior goal for the Magpies coming in a Europa League win over Atromitos.