Newcastle United youngster Cal Roberts is to seek a loan exit in January in an attempt to find regular first-team football.
The 21-year-old attacker has been in impressive form for the Magpies development sides and manager Rafa Benitez has suggested that he may get a first-team shot if injuries play a part soon.
However, with players like Kenedy, Christian Atsu, Jacob Murphy and Matt Ritchie above him in the pecking order, winger Roberts has now revealed that he will look to secure a temporary exit in January.
Speaking to the Chronicle, he said: “Hopefully I can get that loan move in January. It’s probably the closest some of us will get to a first team game in the first half of the season.
“If we can keep putting in performances like [the 5-0 win over Sunderland] I don’t see what can go wrong.”
OPINION
Despite his scintillating displays for the Newcastle Under-23 side it is unfortunately still unlikely that Roberts will see much first-team action for the Magpies this season. With so many established players ahead of him in the pecking order, the only situation which would see him given that chance is an injury crisis, which will hopefully not happen. That means that a loan move in January does look to be the best chance he has of gaining first-team football this season. And at 21 years old, that is exactly what Roberts needs, with the winger now getting to the age where regular minutes are essential if he wants to reach his full potential. He will have been disappointed to not have secured a loan exit over the summer, but his form for the development side will hopefully secure him one in January. And, should a team come in for him, there is no reason why the club would stand in his way.