Fabian Schar boosted his fitness levels with a 45-minute appearance for Newcastle United's second string against Crystal Palace.
The Switzerland international is back from a knee injury sustained in February when playing fo the Magpies in a 3-2 victory over Southampton when he was hurt after making a forward run.
Schar now hopes to put himself in contention for the final five games of the Premier League season.
The centre-back has played 19 times this term and is also eager to be fit for the European Championships which take place in June.
Schar and his team-mates will face Wales, Italy and Turkey in the group stages of the rearranged Euros.
United's Under-23 team took the lead just before the break when Adam Wilson fired home on 41 minutes.
That lead was doubled when Kyle Crossley scored his first goal for the Under-23s on 69 minutes at Whitley Park.
United's victory over the Eagles ended a three-match win-less streak and the second string now have two matches remaining this season.
Chris Hogg's side play Aston Villa home and away to see out what has been a tough season.
UNITED U23s: Langley, Barrett, Bondswell, Brookwell, Schar (McEntee 46), Cross, Longelo (Crossley 46), Young, Wilson, Flaherty, Atsu.
