The Newcastle United under-23s players who could benefit from a January loan move as Elliott Dickman reveals latest

While all the focus will be on what Eddie Howe & Co do in the January transfer window, what lies beneath the first team should not be forgotten.

Because in Newcastle United’s under-23s, each player holds the dream of one day breaking into the senior team.

Indeed, supporters love nothing more than a local lad coming through the academy to pull on the famous black and white.

And one factor that can be key to players’ development is loan moves, which we take a closer look at ahead of next month:

What did Elliott Dickman say about under-23s loan moves in January?

Magpies under-23s lead coach Elliot Dickman, whilst admitting no players have been earmarked for loan moves, believes there are individuals who could benefit from a temporary exit - but it would need to be right for them.

He told NewcastleWorld: “I think there could be (players that benefit from a loan move). We’ve got to make sure we’ve got a team available to put out.

“At this moment in time, there will be discussions going on around that but at the minute, I can’t really say who and who isn’t as nothing’s been finalised.

“The main thing is we might want certain lads to go out on loan but it’s got to be right for them. If it is then there’s that opportunity.

“Obviously we’ll have the conversation with Steve (Harper), Neil (Winskill) Atky (Mark Atkinson), Shola (Ameobi) and Ben Dawson.

“From that aspect, that’s how any decision on any player going out on loan will be made but as I stand here now, there’s nobody earmarked for that.”

Which under-23s players could benefit from the *right* loan moves?

• Dan Langley: The 6ft7in Langley signed a new two-year extension with the club in March before a goalkeeping crisis in pre-season unexpectedly threw himself into first-team action - starting against York City and Doncaster Rovers. The 20-year-old, whilst continuing to train alongside Martin Dubravka, Karl Darlow, Freddie Woodman and Mark Gillespie, has established himself as the under-23s’ number one with 19-year-old Will Brown and 17-year-old Max Thompson as back-ups.
• Charlie Wiggett: The central defender joined from Chelsea in the summer and has naturally become one of the leaders of the group having captained the Blues at multiple age groups. The 19-year-old has played every under-23s game bar one this season and has been a consistent performer throughout. Given he’s still fresh through the door, a reluctance to loan Wiggett out is understandable but he does look like a player who could rise to the physical challenge.
• Jack Young: The tidy midfielder was called up to the first-team squad for a handful of games during the 2019/20 season before joining League Two side Tranmere Rovers on loan last year. While it didn’t work out entirely at Prenton Park, which prompted Newcastle to recall him, Young or the club shouldn’t be deterred by a future move. Technically, Young has proven himself to be a very good player. Now, it’s about showing that at senior level.
• Joe White: White first become a familiar name to Newcastle fans in pre-season when he featured in friendlies at League One pair Burton Albion and Rotherham United. He was then, of course, named on the bench for the 4-1 defeat at Manchester United earlier this season. In the under-23s, he’s been a class above. The worry for Newcastle is White’s contract is up at the end of the campaign - with Celtic, Rangers and fellow Premier League clubs taking an interest. Sort his future before January, and a loan could be a suitable option.
• Adam Wilson: Now 21-years-old, a first senior loan is a must for the pacey winger, who made his under-23s debut five years ago. Previously, Wilson’s progress has been severely halted due to injury but this season, he’s remained fit with 12 Premier League appearances and two goals to his name. If not now, then when?
• Elliot Anderson: There is no doubting Anderson has major first-team potential but in the club’s current predicament, is he going play regularly or at all under Eddie Howe? You’d suspect not. Championship outfit Luton Town have twice tried to loan the Scotland youth international but both times Newcastle have said no. If the 19-year-old can maintain his fitness heading into January, then loaning him out should be a no-brainer.