A new arrival at Middlesbrough, Eddie Howe's message for young Newcastle star Lewis Miley and a January battle for a former Sunderland loanee feature in this week's North East Notes:

HARTLEPOOL ACADEMY MANAGER LEAVES FOR MIDDLESBROUGH

Hartlepool United's academy manager Ian McGuckin has brought an end to his long association with the club and joined the coaching set-up at Middlesbrough.

McGuckin, who made 186 appearances for Pools as a player and has spent 17 years at the club in various roles, has now left to take on a coaching role with Boro's Under-16s.

He officially left Pools yesterday.

It has the look of being a fine addition for Boro, with McGuckin, a Teessider, leaving Pools with the best wishes of club bosses.

McGuckin said: “Firstly, I’d like to thank everyone connected to the club for the last 17 years. I’m really proud of what I’ve achieved personally, both playing and coaching. It’s been a long journey and one I can look back on with a great amount of pride.

“We’ve developed a large amount of young players, and that’s something I take the most pride in. A number of lads have gone and signed professional contracts, which is excellent to see.

“The players and staff have made this place a fantastic working environment over the years, and the supporters have always been excellent. I wish the club every success in future and hopefully we can soon return to the Football League, where the club rightfully belongs.”

In a statement, the Hartlepool board said: “We would like to thank Ian for his incredible service over the 17 years that he has been a part of Hartlepool United.

"Ian has shown his professionalism and passion throughout every role he’s undertaken. It’s been fantastic to see Ian’s development as a coach and he thoroughly deserves this new opportunity. We wish him the best of luck.”

EDDIE HOWE'S MILEY MESSAGE

There was a spell from mid-November to mid-March last season when Lewis Miley featured in 17 straight Premier League games for Newcastle United.

The Magpies' reliance on the teenager was a result of their injury woe but Eddie Howe still had complete faith in the midfielder, who made 14 Premier League starts last term.

This season has so far been a different story, with Miley yet to kick a ball in the league after suffering a foot injury in pre-season.

He returned to the matchday fold in the middle of last month but was an unused substitute for four straight games before being left out of the squad against West Ham and Crystal Palace, with Howe of the opinion the 18-year-old would get more benefit from playing for the Under-21s.

He got almost 80 minutes under his belt for the youngsters in Friday night's 1-0 win over Crystal Palace. And while he could be set for more Under-21 football in the weeks ahead, Howe has told Miley he could still have a key first team role to play this season.

Howe said: "I have no doubt he'll get a run at some stage during the season. The big thing for Lewie is it's still very early back from his injury and we need to give him games.

"It's an opportunity for him to get some rhythm back and play. I think he needs to play. He was injured for a period of time and the games will do him the world of good."

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JANUARY BATTLE FOR EX-SUNDERLAND LOANEE

Ex-Sunderland loanee Joe Gelhardt could be set to leave Leeds United on another temporary switch in January - and competition is building for his signature.

According to reports this week, as many as 10 clubs - including Celtic and Rangers - were keen in signing Gelhardt in the summer. At that stage, Leeds refused to sanction a loan move, but several clubs remain interested and, according to the Yorkshire Evening Post, Gelhardt is keen on a switch in the winter window.

Stoke, Plymouth and Preston are among the Championship clubs said to be keen, with Portsmouth having also been linked before boss John Mousinho dismissed the speculation.

Gelhardt has battled niggles this season but has only featured twice for Leeds and is now struggling to make the matchday squad.

Daniel Farke said recently: "Obviously Joffy was struggling also with a few minor injuries in the last weeks.

"It's also tough, because he's such a top class character and gives everything in each of the training sessions. I love to have him around. He's homegrown. In each of the training sessions, he puts his heart really out. But the truth also, there's lots of quality options in this position."

Gelhardt featured heavily for Sunderland in the second half of the 2022/23 season but he had to be used as a No.9 by Tony Mowbray rather than off the striker as was the initial plan. After Ross Stewart's season ending injury, Gelhardt was the only frontman on Sunderland's books at the time.