Deal expected in 48 hours: Newcastle striker to join bottom-half club on loan - reliable journalist

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Published on:

18 Jan 2018, 6:55 am

Gateshead are expected to complete the signing of a Newcastle United striker on loan within the next 48 hours, according to a reliable journalist. Newcastle Chronicle's non-league reporter Mark Curruthers claimed on his

personal Twitter account

on Thursday morning that Gateshead are closing on a loan swoop for a Magpies centre-forward in the next two days with one of their own strikers set to leave. It is understood the bottom-half National League club has accepted an offer from Port Vale for Luke Hannant, and he should seal his switch at some point on Thursday.

Understand @GatesheadFC have accepted an offer for Luke Hannant and expect him to complete a move to Port Vale today. The Heed are also looking to bring in a young striker on loan from Newcastle. Both deals expected to be concluded in the next 48 hours #HeedArmy #PVFC #NUFC pic.twitter.com/mxyEmmJ9p0
— Mark Carruthers (@MarkCarruthers_) January 18, 2018

Newcastle have a lot of young talent in their side that have had spells at Gateshead with current first-teamer Paul Dummett being among them after he spent part of 2012 on loan there. The Heed are currently 18th in the National League standings but still have a six point gap between themselves and the relegation zone. Manager Steve Watson will no doubt hope that a young forward from Newcastle will boost his side up the table with Hannant set to leave.

Football Insider verdict

Gateshead will no doubt want to replace Luke Hannant after a decent spell with the club. He has not been as prolific this season, with just two league goals all campaign. Newcastle and the Heed have a good local partnership and it would make sense for them to send a youngster there to get first-team experience. Using Dummett as an example, it is possible for players who go to the local non-league club to go on and get into the senior squad. However Rafa Benitez is very reluctant to use young talent from the club's academy at the

moment, especially when they are in a relegation battle.

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