Imminent Newcastle United transfer confirmed as ex-West Ham man set for medical

Harrison Ashby is expected to leave Newcastle United on loan before this weekend’s Sela Cup tournament at St James’ Park.

The young right-back returned to Tyneside along with the rest of Eddie Howe’s squad on Sunday night after taking part in the Premier League Summer Series in the United States.

The Magpies toured Philadelphia, Atlanta and New Jersey - and remained unbeaten, recording a win over Brighton & Hove Albion and draws against Aston Villa and Chelsea.

Ashby’s only start came during Saturday morning’s 2-1 victory versus Brighton and he was highly praised for his first-half performance directly up against Kaoru Mitoma.

Overall, it has been a positive pre-season for the 21-year-old, who also netted a late winner against Rangers, but head coach Howe believes a loan move is the best step for his development.

Ashby is on the verge of joining Championship outfit Swansea City. He was among three players pencilled in for a medical on Monday.

“There are three medicals booked for Monday morning, so we’re hoping they all come through,” said Swans boss Michael Duff on Saturday.

“You never know in football, someone might gazump us or they might fail their medicals hence the reason I never say who they are because if they fail a medical it’s not fair on the player because it might affect a move somewhere else.

“I think there’s a couple of loan moves in there.”

Ashby is yet to make a competitive appearance for Newcastle since joining from West Ham United for £3million in January.

Wales Online report that Swansea hope to wrap up a deal before their Championship opener at home to Birmingham City on Saturday.

Meanwhile, Newcastle play on back-to-back days against Fiorentina and Villarreal to round off their preparations for the new Premier League season, which gets underway against Aston Villa on August 12.