Former Norwich City flyer Jacob Murphy aims to play a leading role at Newcastle United next season after getting to grips with the Premier League.

The 23-year-old has made 22 top flight appearances for the Magpies, since his high profile switch to the north-east, but again came off the bench in the weekend's 1-0 home league defeat to West Brom.

Murphy, however, is looking at the bigger picture after making a reported £12m move last summer following a breakthrough campaign at the Canaries and an impressive showing in the European Championships for England's Under-21s.

'It has been a learning curve this first year at Newcastle but I'm delighted with the way things have gone,' he said. 'To get my first taste of Premier League football, the manager has broken me in nicely and perhaps at times has looked to protect me.

'I have improved a lot and tactically I can only get better. I know there is plenty more to come. It is about growing and continuing to learn.

'I know I will get the opportunity and it is about delivering. We're safe now, which is not only nice for myself but the fans. That was our target - to secure safety - we have done that and you can see there is a lot of joy among the fans.'

Rafa Benitez brought in Chelsea's Kenedy in January, who appears to have blocked Murphy's path to the starting XI.

'It has been frustrating, in the sense that I want to play and be out there,' said Murphy, speaking to Newcastle's official site. 'I scored that goal (at Manchester City) and I felt I was in good form but on the other hand the boys have been playing really well.

'It's a team game and I know when the boys are playing well they will be in.

'It's a squad game. Every day is a learning day and the boys have been working hard. If I am not working hard on the training pitch, then, one, I am not getting better and, two, I'm not helping the team practice hard so I know I have a role to do.'