GARANG KUOL could train with Newcastle United’s first-team squad in the next couple of days – but Eddie Howe has confirmed the plan is still to send the Australian youngster out on loan in the second half of the season.

Kuol’s transfer from Australian side Central Coast Mariners was officially ratified when the transfer window reopened at the weekend, with the 18-year-old having said an emotional farewell in his homeland after he played a starring role in the New Year’s Eve win over Melbourne Victory.

The extent of his talent and potential was highlighted when he was named in the Australia squad for the World Cup in Qatar, and handed a number of cameo appearances from the substitutes’ bench, and there has been growing speculation that Newcastle could look to fast-track him into their first-team group.

Howe is excited about the prospect of working with the teenage attacking midfielder, but remain convinced he would benefit from playing regular football elsewhere in the next five months, with a number of clubs on the continent known to have contacted Newcastle with loan offers.

“It’s a possibility Garang could train with us for a little while,” said Howe, who takes his side to Arsenal tomorrow for their first game of 2023. “But I do think that for the player’s development, he needs to go and play.

“If possible, that would be at a very good level, with a good club and a good coach. That’s not a decision that’s been made currently, so we’ll have to assess what all of our options are.”

The signing of Kuol, a hugely-exciting youngster with the scope for considerable improvement in the next few years, is a template for what Newcastle will be looking to do in the next few transfer windows, but Howe is also mindful of the need to plug any short-term gaps as they appear.

The loss of Jonjo Shelvey to injury, and the likelihood of the midfielder being missing for up to two months, has led to the Magpies’ recruitment team focusing their attention on central midfield with the window now reopen, while Matt Targett’s foot injury could also result in a move for a left-back.

The Northern Echo: Jonjo Shelvey is currently sidelined through injuryJonjo Shelvey is currently sidelined through injury

“The thing we have to guard against at this time of the year is injuries, and every player you lose is a hammer blow and it does open up potential weaknesses in the squad,” said Howe. “We’re very aware of that.

“We look at Jonjo’s injury and Matt Targett’s injury. I don’t know quite how long they’re going to be out, although I don’t think either of them are really long term, so we will get them back. But we obviously have to think of that. There’s a lot to consider.”