2016-17 form
The 18-time England Under-21 international showed last season just what he is capable of when given regular first-team football, as he blew away Championship defences to fire Derby to a ninth-placed finish.
Ince found the back of the net 15 times during his 50 league and cup encounters, as well as showing his creative spark by adding eight assists throughout the campaign.
That kind of goalscoring form and precision in the final third would be crucial in keeping the Toon afloat, as they look to bring in the kind of players who are capable of creating something from nothing.