Bury manager Lee Clark has confirmed that he is interested in snapping up Newcastle striker Tom Heardman.
Newcastle Chronicle reporter Lee Ryder claimed on his personal Twitter account on Friday evening that the League One outfit was eyeing up a loan move for the promising 21-year-old.
Heardman has never had a prolonged spell away from St. James’ Park throughout his development after two short spells with Gateshead and Hartlepool proved rather fruitless.
However Clark has insisted that the target man can do a job in his side and has compared him to former Newcastle striker Andy Carroll.
“Tom is a young, energetic player,” Clark said, as quoted by the Bury Times. “He is six-foot-four and will be a different asset for us. We will be able to feed on his flick-ons and knock downs but he is not just a big guy, he is very athletic and reminds me of a young Andy Carroll.
“I’m not concerned (about his lack of professional appearances). These young lads need a chance just like our young lads do and we believe he can add something extra to our group. He has already hit the ground running this week.”
Heardman has never earned a senior appearance for Newcastle, and following the club’s promotion back to the Premier League, it looks as though it would be a tough ask for him to break into Rafa Benitez’s plans for the upcoming campaign.
The youngster has played just five times in first-team football following short stints at Gateshead and Hartepool, but Bury boss Clark looks set on to seeing that statistic improve at Gigg Lane.
Newcastle have made two signings so far this summer after Florian Lejeune’s arrival was announced earlier this week to add to the permanent deal that was completed for Christian Atsu.