Forgotten Newcastle United player finally makes first Toon appearance since 2024 signing

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There is a surprise inclusion in Newcastle United Under-21s’ starting XI to face Birmingham City.

The young Magpies are continuing their Premier League 2 campaign on Friday afternoon, having lost their opening two games against Chelsea and Southampton.

Next up for the Newcastle United academy hopefuls is Birmingham City away, in what will be their final game before Adam Lawrence takes over as the Under-21s’ lead coach.

It was announced this week that Lawrence is joining Newcastle after leaving Manchester United earlier this year, but will not begin working on Tyneside until 1st September.

Newcastle United have put out a strong team to face Birmingham City, and it is one that shockingly includes Miodrag Pivas.

Miodrag Pivas makes surprise Newcastle United debut

Having regularly trained with the Newcastle United first-team squad, the likes of Park Seung-soo, Sean Neave and Travis Hernes are in the Under-21s starting XI to face Birmingham City.

There is also a surprise name on the teamsheet, with Miodrag Pivas involved for the first time in his Toon career.

Pivas joined Newcastle United last summer from Serbian club FK Jedinstvo Ub, before being loaned out to Willem II.

The 20-year-old was given the chance to ply his trade in the Eredivisie, but it proved to be a forgettable loan stint.

In total, the young defender made just seven senior appearances, with his only two starts coming in the KNVB Cup.

He spent the majority of his time at Willem II on the bench, and is now back on Tyneside.

What Nemanja Matic said about Newcastle United’s Miodrag Pivas

When Pivas joined Newcastle United in the summer of 2024, there was a sense of excitement. The hope was that the Magpies had unearthed another gem, just like they had 12 months prior when they bought Yankuba Minteh.

Pivas’ arrival was even more exciting when it emerged what Premier League winner Nemanja Matic had said about his fellow countryman.

“A huge talent and serious potential,” Matic said on Pivas in April 2024.

“If he continues this way, he’s on the path to the national team. In my opinion, we haven’t seen a player with such predispositions since Nemanja Vidić and Branislav Ivanović.

“A complete player and a top professional.”

That was incredibly high praise, and if Pivas can prove Matic correct then Newcastle United have a potential superstar within their ranks.

However, it has been a tough 12 months for the youngster. He has become Newcastle’s forgotten man, but hopefully that will change now that he is playing for the Under-21s.