Newcastle United manager Steve McClaren feels Aleksandar Mitrovic could have been sent off just seconds into his debut for the club.

The Serbian striker, who joined from Anderlecht this summer, was booked for producing a slashing tackle on Southampton full-back Matt Targett just moments after entering the fray in the 75th minute of Sunday's Premier League season opener..

After the match, which ended 2-2, McClaren said he would have had no qualms if Mitrovic saw red at St James' Park.

"We were quite fortunate he did not get a red there and there would have been no complaints if he did," said the Toon boss.

"I don't know if he got that much contact but I'm just saying with the present rules of the game... I think in the olden days those kinds of challenges were 10-a-penny.

"That's what he (Mitrovic) is. He certainly doesn't hold back. He wanted to come on and impress. He's only a young lad and you can see how strong and direct he is.

"He is going to be a player."

Southampton scored first through Graziano Pelle before Papiss Cisse levelled minutes before the half-time break.

Summer signing Georginio Wijnaldum marked his Premier League debut with a 48th-minute goal to edge the Magpies back in front before a Shane Long header, just over 10 minutes from time, forced a result for the visitors.