JACOB MURPHY always dreamed of wearing the Newcastle United shirt in the Premier League and now, after his summer switch from Norwich City, he is focused on delivering the good times back to St James’ Park.

Thirteen years ago, on a family visit to Tyneside where his parents hail from, he was taken along to the Magpies’ UEFA Cup victory over PSV Eindhoven when Alan Shearer and Gary Speed struck the goals.

European football is not even in Newcastle’s thinking this season; in fact gracing the continental stage has been one of the furthest things from their mind for a number of years.

Murphy is not about to start predicting that he can help Newcastle back onto the European stage during his time with the club, but under Rafael Benitez he would love to see the good times roll again.

The 22-year-old said: “Our main focus is to stay in the league. That is the objective and then it is a building process over a few years to get stronger. We have started positively in the first game. We contained Spurs until the sending off. I have high hopes for the season.

“The manager is brilliant, especially his knowledge, and I have learned so much already. He will develop my career I have no doubt about that. He wants my directness. My approach to the game is to go full on. I am a quick player and I have to use my pace and work hard.”

Murphy was keen to move to Newcastle as soon he became aware of the interest. Despite being born in Wembley and brought up in London and then Norwich, where he made the grade, it is the Magpies who he supports. And always has.

"It is nice for me to wear these colours, looking down on your chest and seeing the badge,” said Murphy. “My parents are from up here. My mum is from Birtley and my dad from Ashington. I have loads of relatives and cousins here too. So it is really nice for them to see me here too.

“I was a fan from the beginning. My first game was that UEFA Cup and it captured my imagination from that moment. It was a good era for Newcastle, always in Europe.

“I used to wear a Newcastle shirt down in Norwich. There are a lot of pictures of me from this high to this high and now I have a real one!

“I could never have started at Newcastle because it was too far away from Norwich and there was a radius limit for the Academy.

“This is a fantastic move for me. There was a lot of pride for the family. It has been easy settling and the boys have been nice to me and it is a good group.

“As a kid we didn’t come back often so I have been getting to know the area. Firstly I wanted to see the relatives and I’ve met them and they’ve taken me around the city. It is everything I’d hoped.”

Frustratingly for Murphy, he didn’t get to make his competitive debut on the opening weekend of the Premier League season. Tottenham ended up winning 2-0 by scoring two goals after Jonjo Shelvey’s stupid red card shortly after half-time.

Going down to ten men played a part in the more attack-minded Murphy not being introduced from the bench, but he is not concerned and is looking forward to get the time on the pitch.

He said: “I am biding my time at the moment. I will get my chance and be ready for it. The manager wants hard work and has been working with me tactically too. The main message is to work hard. Game time is massive for me. That will come. There are good wingers already here and I have to bide my time.”

His first outing could arrive at Huddersfield tomorrow, a side he knows all about having played them last season when they were in the Championship. He think the Terriers, who beat Crystal Palace last weekend, will have a few different tricks up their sleeves.

He said: “There was a bit of disappointment against Tottenham. We held ourselves well, and kept going. It was going to be a tough one against Spurs. You approach Huddersfield the same way as Spurs, tough game.

“They are an aggressive team with a high press and in your face. They are a team we have to face with a physical approach. We are in a new league and they might have changed their style now, so we have watched clips of them. We are not too far away from getting our points on the board. Sunday is another opportunity.”