Newcastle United set to confirm second departure alongside Allan Saint-Maximin

Kelland Watts is set to leave Newcastle United with the defender expected to join Wigan Athletic on an initial season-long loan deal.

The 23-year-old was back at the club’s Benton training centre for the first day of pre-season after returning from an injury-plagued loan spell at Peterborough United.

However, Watts hasn’t featured in friendlies against Gateshead and Rangers, while he’s also been left out of the trip to the United States.

As reported by the Daily Mail, Watts will return to the DW Stadium on a temporary basis before signing permanently when his contract at Newcastle expires next summer.

Watts was part of the Latics side that lifted the League One title in 2021-22. In total, he made 26 appearances.

The centre-back has come through the youth ranks at Newcastle and has made one competitive appearance - a cameo against Liverpool at St James’ Park in July 2020.

Watts joined Peterborough last summer when he was still recovering from a knee injury and made just five starts before a hamstring issue saw him miss the rest of the campaign.

He’s also spent time on loan at Stevenage, Mansfield Town and Plymouth Argyle to reach 100 Football League appearances.

Watts might not be the only departure in the next week or so with Allan Saint-Maximin set to join Saudi Pro League side Al Ahli. The Frenchman’s exit is likely to make way for Leicester City winger Harvey Barnes.