Owen Bailey had a tantalising glimpse into life in the Premier League as he made his way through the academy ranks at his beloved Newcastle United.

After training alongside the likes of Joelinton and Allan Saint-Maximin and appearing to be on the brink of breakthrough, a serious knee injury led to a 538-day absence and ensured the former Magpies Under-21s captain failed to make a competitive senior appearance for his boyhood club.

A heartbreaking release during the summer of 2021 triggered what Bailey describes as ‘a dark time in his career’ - but it also inspired a rejuvenation of fortunes that included a National League North title win and a Wembley appearance with the Magpies’ non-league neighbours Gateshead.

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Bailey’s form with the Heed earned a move into the EFL with Doncaster Rovers and the Geordie has become a cult hero at the Eco-Power Stadium throughout the last 18 months. Such is the impact he has made, the 26-year-old has been entrusted with the captaincy in recent months and is now preparing for a belated crack at Premier League opposition as Rovers host Crystal Palace in the FA Cup fourth round on Monday night.

Another landmark lies in wait for the midfielder as he aims to make success and progress on the pitch the defining aspects of his career, rather than the injury he suffered during the final years of his time as a Magpie.

“I think the injury was a massive part of my time there (at Newcastle) and up until then I’d never really been particularly injury-prone,” he told Chronicle Live. “I think it was frustrating me that, when my time came up at Newcastle, a lot of the focus was on that because I spent a lot of good years at the club and I’d played in some big games and represented the club.

“Now I think having played as many games as I have, proven my fitness, it’s all in the past and it definitely helps looking back on my time with more fondness. There is always that cloud hanging over you when you’ve had the injury and people always look at you as someone that had an injury for two years - but there was a lot more than that in my time there.”

Despite spending time on trial with EFL clubs following his release, Bailey’s next move came with short hope across the Tyne as he linked up with former Magpies defender Mike Williamson at Gateshead.

During his two-year stint at the International Stadium, Bailey helped the Heed to promotion into non-league football’s top tier and was part of the side that fell to a narrow defeat against FC Halifax Town in the FA Trophy Final. However, the move to Gateshead and his undoubted development as a player brought a more long-lasting impact on Bailey’s career.

He said: “It’s the best thing that has ever happened to me and I’m so happy that I got the opportunity to work there under the staff and with the lads. It’s got a real community feel around the club and it’s a really good place to play football and learn your craft.

“I think I probably would have got swallowed up if I went straight into the league. It really helped my learn my trade, refine things in me and learn things about myself. When I had such a long spell out, I had no idea what kind of player I was anymore to be honest and I really rediscovered my identity.”

With several EFL clubs showing an interest in Bailey as his Heed contract came to a close, Doncaster won the race for his services and handed him an opportunity to test himself in the EFL for the first time.

The move also reunited the midfielder with former Magpies team-mate Jamie Sterry and another North East lad, former Sunderland and Hartlepool United forward, Luke Molyneux. The trio have forged an invaluable connection that has brought major benefits on and off the pitch during the first half of what already feels like a season full of hope and excitement for the League Two promotion contenders.

“Jamie Sterry is one of the best people you could ever meet,” explained Bailey. “During my time at Newcastle he was amazing for me and he had injury problems and setbacks during his career - but he is someone you can lean on in any situation.

“He’s such a fantastic footballer but he really prioritises being a human being before than and for someone like me, moving away for the first time and having a bit of uncertainty, it’s been amazing what him and his family have done.

“It’s the same with Mols because from the first time me and Jamie went in together, he really took us under his wing. We’ve got a little North East contingent on the right-hand side now and hopefully we can continue putting good performances in.”

All three players are likely to be handed starts when Palace visit on Monday night as Bailey and his Donny team-mates face Premier League opposition for the second time this season after falling to a 3-0 defeat at Everton in a Carabao Cup second round tie. Although the Eagles will be overwhelming favourites to secure a place in the fifth round draw, Bailey is determined to repay the faith shown in him by key figures at Rovers and make the most of his opportunity to prove himself against top level opposition.

He explained: “I think my mindset is always to think I have to prove myself and there is a lot more to come from me.

“Because I spent a long time out, I am still learning things and I still feel like I’m catching out on lost years. I think that every time I go out on the pitch there is a point to prove, especially for Doncaster because the club, the manager and the staff have put a lot of faith in me.

“They’ve all put a lot in trust in me so I feel like it’s a massive thing not to just prove myself to myself but to them as well and to the fans. I’m looking forward to it and I feel like there are a lot of talented Premier League players in there and we will have a lot of respect for them because of the side that they are - but we are going to go in with no fear and belief in ourselves.

“For myself, I want to come out of the game better because in that game, I didn’t play the best I can play and I feel like it’s another opportunity to prove myself against a Premier League team.”

Almost four years on from his heartbreaking release from Newcastle, nobody would begrudge Bailey his opportunity to shine against Premier League opposition at long last.