Newcastle United’s loan players enjoyed something of a productive weekend. While their parent club were bowing out of the FA Cup in dramatic circumstances, the stars out at other clubs had better fortune.
Newcastle’s squad remains threadbare after a transfer window that saw several players depart – Miguel Almiron’s move to Atlanta United was permanent – and only a couple of teenagers arrive to boost the Academy numbers. They included Kyle Fitzgerald, who scored for the U18s at the weekend.
The Magpies have five players out on loan, including Lloyd Kelly whose temporary switch to Juventus will be made permanent in the summer as long as certain criteria are met. We take a look at how they all fared.
Lloyd Kelly
The defender struggled initially on his move to Serie A. However, he has started to grow into his surrounding and has been starting for Juve in the centre of defence amid something of an injury situation at the Old Lady.
Kelly again played 90 minutes for Juventus on Monday night and kept a clean sheet against Verona. It was a welcome win for the Turin side after they crashed out of the Coppa Italia and Champions League and moved them back into the top four. Kelly picked up a yellow card on 62 minutes but was largely untroubled as Juve scored twice late on to leapfrog Lazio and are now six points off leaders Inter.
Juve have an obligation to buy Kelly for £12million plus a potential £5.4m in add-ons should they qualify for any European competition this season. The Italian side paid a £3m loan fee to prise him from Newcastle in the winter transfer window.
Joe White
The Carlisle-born midfielder was a starter as MK Dons lost 1-0 against Colchester in League Two. It was a game that proved to be the last in charge for Dons boss Scott Lindsey, who was sacked afterwards. Lindsey had taken just one point from the last six games as the side had plummeted down the table into 17th spot.
White will now work with his third manager of the season. Lindsey had replaced former Gateshead boss and ex-Newcastle defender Mike Williamson in charge.
White lasted 66 minutes against Colchester before being replaced. The attacking player had enjoyed a good start to his spell at the club but has struggled for goals and assists in recent weeks.
Alex Murphy
The Irish defender played the first hour for Bolton Wanderers and helped them to a clean sheet as they gained a battling point against League One high-fliers Wrexham. Murphy, operating at left-back, had a cautious game and at times struggled in possession.
However his defensive contribution was strong and allowed Bolton to pick up a valuable point.
Isaac Hayden
The forgotten man at Newcastle, Hayden still has another year on his contract after this season, having signed a bumper six-year deal in 2020. His game time has been limited at the Magpies, however, and he hasn’t kicked a ball for the first team since an appearance against Man City in December 2021.
His move to Portsmouth in January has been something of a success. Hayden has slotted in to the centre of midfield, playing a holding role and often dropping in between the centre-halves to get possession and add extra protection.
Pompey boss John Mousinho said: “I certainly think Isaac does a very steady job in the middle of the park. You get the best of both worlds, you get that defensive solidity and you get him ticking over on the ball as well.”
Hayden played 81 minutes against Championship strugglers Luton Town on Saturday, his 10th appearance for the club. Portsmouth lost 1-0 and stay 17th in the table. Former Newcastle winger Matt Ritchie also started the game but was hooked at half-time.
Harrison Ashby
The 23-year-old defender was an unused substitute for QPR on Saturday as they lost 2-1 against promotion-chasing Sheffield United in the Championship. Ashby has found game time hard to come by this season after joining QPR in the summer.
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