Once viewed by Socceroos coach Ange Postecoglou as one of the country's top defensive prospects, Good's career stalled due to a serious hip problem which was aggravated during his national debut against Ecuador in March 2014.

It took surgery in Colorado 13 months ago to finally resolve the issue, with the 23 year-old back in action for Newcastle's Under-23's and scoring successive goals in recent wins over Aston Villa and Stoke City.

After leaving a huge impression during previous loan spells with Bradford City and Dundee United, Good is hoping the New Year will bring fresh opportunities away from St James’ Park, where he knows that breaking into a team flying at the summit of the Championship is, for the time being, a big ask.

"As much as it’s good playing reserve football; you need to get back out there into the men’s game," said Good, who signed a six-year deal with the Magpies in 2012 after emerging at Melbourne Heart.

"I have missed that competitive side of things," he said. "I enjoyed my loan spells at Bradford and Dundee United. There were good teams and I was lucky enough to be involved in some good cup runs, which have been the highlight of my career so far.

“Obviously, it’s great with the reserves in getting your confidence up again but you want to play at the highest level you can. Hopefully I will get an opportunity.

“The team (under Rafa Benitez) is going really well and the depth of the squad is better than it’s been in previous years in terms of numbers and my best chance of getting first team football would be if there were injuries.

“If not that then you need to get out there and prove yourself, whether that be in Scotland, (elsewhere) in the Championship or League One.”

With Colorado-based specialist Dr Marc Philippon performing key surgery to turn the tide on Good's bad injury, the player admitted he had moments where he considered giving the game away: "There were a couple of moments there when I thought about coming home and quitting," Good said. "But if you have the right people behind you, it makes difference. And fortunately I had the support.

“The club have been showed a lot of patience this entire time and I am now fully now and feeling pretty good.

“I have been back since pre-season, slowly building up and have put together 12-odd games now which is something I haven’t done since I don’t remember when.

“You realise how much you miss it when you can’t do it, and I am enjoying playing more than ever.”

While the prospects of adding to his single Socceroos cap may not yet be imminent, Good sees it as a long-term target as his return gathers momentum.

“My goal is to get back involved with the national team again," he said. "I had a taste of it and loved it and I’ll do everything I can to get back. I just need it keep plugging away and prove I can play at the highest level."

With the Magpies a point clear at the top going into Christmas, Good is eager to milk every moment in the presence of Benitez.

“You listen to every word he has to say and take everything in during the first-team sessions you are involved in,” he said. “He has a presence about him."