Newcastle u21s secured passage through to the knockout rounds of the EFL Trophy with a 1-0 win over Rotherham United

In a season where Newcastle United's first team recruitment is being called into question, Kyran Thompson's dazzling form at under-21 level is an undoubted success story the club's decision makers can cling to.

The 17-year-old joined the Magpies' youth setup in the summer, swapping Arsenal for Newcastle, signing his first professional contract at the club in September.

His impression has been immediate and he continued his fine start to the season by setting Newcastle under-21s on their way to a hard-earned 1-0 win over League Two side Rotherham United to move through to the EFL Trophy knockout stages for the first time since 2018.

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Thompson finished off an incisive Newcastle breakaway after Alfie Seldon found Vakhtang Salia in space down the right-hand side and the Georgia under-21 international lifted a pass into his path before he cleverly lifted the ball over onrushing Millers goalkeeper Ted Cann.

It was the fifth goal of the England under-18 international's season at under-21 level, with four of those impressively coming against senior sides after also scoring in Robbie Stockdale's side's EFL Trophy win over York City, as well as bagging a brace in their National League Cup win over Hartlepool United.

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His talents have already caught the eye of Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle, too, with Thompson being named in a Premier League matchday squad for the first time in September's 2-1 win over Hull City.

It has been well documented that Newcastle signed eight players aged 24 and under at first team level over the summer but only three of them - Lukas Hornicek, Amar Dedic and Nico Gonzalez - have started consistently although Sean Steur has impressed.

Aladji Bamba and Bazoumana Toure, who cost a combined £78million, are yet to make a Premier League start, substitute goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen has been injured more than he has been available, while £51million forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo's impact has been minimal.

And with criticism of the summer recruitment mounting at first level there is a fair argument Thompson is looking like Newcastle's best signing of the window, with him affecting games and looking better with each passing game at under-21 level.

Under-21s lead coach Stockdale named a strong side at the New York Stadium that included several other players that have been in and around first team level this season, including Henry Johnson, Miodrag Pivas, Dylan Charlton, Mason Miley, Matheos Ferreira, Vakhtang Salia and goalkeeper Roman Dowell.

Lining up in a 3-4-3 formation, the young Magpies held their shape well, remained disciplined and Dowell was alert in goal to make a few important saves in the first half.

Rotherham piled on the pressure in the second half and even introduced Paul Mullin, of Welcome to Wrexham fame, from the bench in search of saving their EFL Trophy campaign.

But Newcastle held firm to seal a fifth win in a row in all competitions and another tie against an EFL side to look forward to in December.

Newcastle United u21s XI vs Rotherham: Dowell; Pivas, Watts, Johnson; Ferreira (Craggs 74), Bailey (c), Miley (Kouossu 74), Charlton; Thompson (Bloomer 89), Seldon (Fitzgerald 74); Salia (Mills 74)

Subs not used: Mair, Seung-soo

Attendance: 805 (72 away)