TEENAGE striker Adam Armstrong is looking to capitalise on Newcastle United’s relegation to the Championship by proving he can power them back to the Premier League.

There were strong calls from Magpies fans to recall Armstrong last season after watching him score 20 goals for Coventry City during a loan while his hometown club struggled to climb away from the relegation zone.

But Steve McClaren wanted him to stay in the Midlands to build up his experience and his goal return should ensure he is confident going into pre-season with Newcastle.

Rafael Benitez, who has decided to stay on despite relegation, has not had the chance to work with the England Under-19s international at this stage, buT Armstrong is keen to prove he has what it takes in the second tier.

“Getting on the pitch at St James’ Park was massive for me being from Newcastle,” said Armstrong. “Newcastle is my club at the minute and that’s who I want to play for.

“I want to work really hard in pre-season and try to get into the gaffer’s mind and we’ll see what happens next season.”

But Arsmtrong, who made his Newcastle debut in 2014, does think that playing for Coventry last season has been huge for his development.

He told the Coventry Observer: “I didn’t know how well I was going to do [at Coventry] and I don’t think that any of my family or close friends knew either because being so young I didn’t know what to expect and I hadn’t played at this level before.

“I came here as an 18-year-old and I think I needed that in my career. I’d played a lot of Under-21s football and made 15 appearances for Newcastle, five minutes now and then, and that’s been a massive experience for me as well. The step up from Under-21 football to League One is massive. It’s been good for me.”

Newcastle, meanwhile, have added Mikel Antia to Benitez's coaching team following the departure of Fabio Pecchia.

Spaniard Antia, 43, has arrived from the Aspire Academy in Qatar where he has been part of the coaching team tasked with developing young Qatari players.

He has replaced Pecchia, who this week joined Serie B side Verona as the Italian side's new manager.

Antia had spells as a player at the Real Madrid Academy where he played under Benítez for four seasons, before moving to Real Valladolid in La Liga, also with Benítez. He later moved on to play for Celta Vigo and Real Sociedad.

The rest of Benitez's coaching staff, consisting of Francisco de Míguel Moreno, Antonio Gómez Pérez, Ian Cathro and Simon Smith, will remain at St James' Park.

Benitez said: "I am delighted that Mikel is joining my staff. He is a very talented coach and I know he will add great expertise to my team.

"At the same time I am sad to see Fabio depart as he has been an excellent professional from the first day until the last in the years we have worked together.

"He leaves to face these new and exciting challenges, both personally and professionally. I wish him all the best and say thank you."