HAMZA CHOUDHURY is ready to push for a loan move to Newcastle United in order to increase his chances of playing regular first-team football next season.

The Magpies’ summer transfer business remains on hold as they wait for a decision over the future of Joe Willock, with the Arsenal midfielder having being omitted from the Gunners’ 20-man squad for Saturday’s friendly win over Millwall.

With only two domestic loans permitted at any one time, Newcastle’s recruitment team are waiting to learn whether Arsenal are willing to agree to a season-long loan for Willock, who spent the second half of last season at St James’ Park.

If, as still looks likely, the England Under-21 international returns to Tyneside, Steve Bruce will have to decide what position to prioritise for his other loan addition.

Even if Willock rejoins, Newcastle’s midfield options look limited, so there is a chance Bruce could pursue another loan midfielder, with Choudhury likely to figure prominently on his list.

The Leicester City playmaker was a loan target last January, only for Brendan Rodgers to block a move away from the King Power, but Choudhury found himself kicking his heels in the second half of last season as he failed to hold down a place in Leicester’s first team.

His prospects of featuring in Rodgers’ preferred line-up next season are no brighter, with sources claiming he has instructed his representatives to push for a temporary move away from the Foxes.

Newcastle officials are understood to be aware of his position, and are ready to discuss his position with the Leicester hierarchy once they know where they stand with Willock.

Speaking after Friday’s friendly win over Doncaster, Bruce conceded he was working to an extremely limited transfer budget this summer, although Newcastle are set to receive a seven-figure windfall if Adam Armstrong leaves Blackburn Rovers.

Blackburn reportedly turned down a £15m offer for Armstrong from Watford over the weekend, but the Hornets are expected to return with an improved bid.

Newcastle sold Armstrong to Rovers for £1.7m in the summer of 2018, but inserted a 40 per cent sell-on clause into the deal.