The young Magpies face the Pilgrims, who gained promotion to the National League via National League North play-offs last season, at the Jakemans Stadium (kick-off 7.30pm GMT) and, currently situated in second place of Group C ahead of their penultimate group fixture, can enhance their hopes of qualifying for the quarter-finals with a victory.

Bailey, who signed his first professional contract for the Magpies last summer, is relishing the test against the senior side, who have recorded one win in their last 14 league outings and currently sit in the relegation zone of the English fifth tier.

The 18-year-old midfielder, who joined United's Academy at the age of nine, told newcastleunited.com: "It's a good tournament that we want to do well in and it's going to be a good experience in facing senior players and it will be a good test from a physical point of view.

"It comes with a different challenge when you play against people like that because they're going to be big lads with lots of experience at senior level and we're looking forward to it.

"It's important for us to try and pick up another win as we want to go as far as we can in this competition but we know they'll be a strong, fast team and we need to go into the game at 100 per cent or we'll get punished."

Bailey, who was on target in Newcastle's 2-1 win against Paris Saint-Germain in last season's UEFA Youth League campaign, made his full debut at under-21 level during the young Magpies' Northumberland Senior Cup win against Alnwick Town last month.

After a series of long-term injuries, including a torn hamstring which saw the Durham-born youngster require surgery, he reflected positively on his maiden bow at second-string level and is aiming to accrue further minutes during the current term.

He added: "I was really happy because I've struggled quite badly with injuries, being out of action for a lot of months, so to finally be able to play has been really good for me and I feel much better.

"I hadn't been on a football pitch for so long and did not know what it was going to be like. As soon as I stepped onto the pitch, though, I was fully confident in what I was going to do and I really enjoyed it.

"I'm really determined to try and get more minutes in and get a run of games so that I get back into the swing of playing normally for my team."