Newcastle United 19-year-old injured in training - ruled out until March

The 19-year-old had been in red-hot form for the under-21s before Christmas, scoring 11 goals in 15 appearances. That led to interest from a number of EFL and National League clubs.

But just as Newcastle were weighing up potential offers, Parkinson sustained an ankle injury which, according to U21s boss Diarmuid O'Carroll, will keep him out until March.

Parkinson made his Premier League debut as a substitute away to AFC Bournemouth last season and featured in several matchday squads. However, the Durham-born forward is yet to play senior football on regular basis.

“I think Parkey will be a little bit while longer,” O’Carroll revealed after Parkinson missed Tuesday’s 4-2 National League Cup win at Gateshead. “He'll be another probably four or five weeks, I would have thought. He's progressing well. He's working hard.”

O’Carroll also confirmed Jay Turner-Cooke is sidelined until later this month, also because of an ankle injury. Having already had loan spells at Tranmere Rovers and St Johnstone, he too was under consideration to leave.

“Jay will be a little bit quicker. We're hoping for Jay maybe in the next 10 days, two weeks to be available for us,” O’Carroll continued.

“But ultimately, it was a blow for both of them. They're both probably players that we looked at and thought it's time for them to go out, similar to Charlie [McArthur].

“But credit to both of them because it's been difficult mentally for them off the back of a little innocuous injuries in training and training games. So it was unfortunate, but they've shown maturity, they've attacked the gym and got around it and hopefully they can benefit from this period and come back in with us then probably from February onwards.

“Jay’s is just a twist but Parky's is more serious - it will put him out till probably until the start of March.”