Dan Ashworth discusses ‘Rolls Royce’ talent as Newcastle United deal is completed

Newcastle United technical director Dan Ashworth has discussed ‘a Rolls Royce’ talent at League One club Peterborough United.

The Magpies recently completed a deal with the Posh as defender Kelland Watts agreed to move to London Road on loan until January.

The 22-year-old is unlikely to feature over the coming weeks as he continues his recovery from the knee injury he suffered during United’s pre-season training camp in Austria.

Talks between the two clubs were cordial and Peterborough’s director of football Barry Fry expressed his surprise the Magpies had not approached his club over one of their promising youngsters.

Speaking on his Hard Truth Podcast,  said: “Dan’s doing his job obviously trying to get a deal, and we’re saying we can’t pay for this boy until he’s fit.

“Dan was really good with us, and Baz (Fry) obviously joked saying I can’t believe you’re not in for our boy without naming him.

“Dan said are you talking about the Rolls Royce? Baz was like what, and he was like we know all about your boy.

“He said the reports that Brighton had got, unbelievable, he’s a Rolls Royce of a centre-half but we are looking at the attacking end of the pitch at the moment.

“He said to Barry, absolute Rolls Royce, every scout report that went into Brighton was unbelievable.”

The youngster is believed to be England Under-19 defender Ronnie Edwards, who has quickly become a key player for Grant McCann after making his full senior debut in December 2020.

The talented centre-back has gone on to make a half-century of senior appearances and has impressed sufficiently to attract attention from Premier League clubs Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur.