Newcastle United's loan transfers have come under scrutiny
Tyler Jones on loan at Ashington. Pic: Ian Brodie
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Several Newcastle United prospects are currently struggling to make an impact during loan spells away from St James Park during the opening three months of the season.
An injury has prevented exciting winger Trevan Sanusi from making an appearance for Lorient and Joe White, Travis Hernes and summer signing Antonio Cordero have failed to nail down a starting place during the early months of their respective stints with Leyton Orient, Westerlo and Groningen.
Academy goalkeeper Aidan Harris has provided some much-needed positivity for United’s loan stars as the 18-year-old stopper continues to impress with Northern Irish Premiership club Coleraine.
However, perhaps the biggest success story comes from one loan spell that may have gone under the radar after young keeper Tyler Jones quietly went about his business with a temporary spell in the North East’s non-league scene.
The 17-year-old stopper joined the Magpies’ Northern Premier League East Division neighbours Ashington earlier this season after making just a handful of appearances for United’s Under-18s over the last year.
Faced with an unexpected first step into senior football, Jones has shone in a Colliers side that have struggled to find form in non-league’s fourth tier and has earned a glowing recommendation from Ashington goalkeeper coach Tom Read after his loan stint came to an end last week.
He told Chronicle Live: “Tyler been excellent for us. I asked him when he came in to have no regrets when he left us and I am very sure he has done that.
“He has grasped this loan spell with both hands and it makes me really proud because we’ve all needed people to believe in us when we are making our way in our industries. He’s had that with us and I am really proud of how he has stood up to the challenge and made the most of the opportunity.
“Attitude is a big thing academies look at when a youngster heads out on loan and I know that from talking to Paul Barron and Tony Caig every week because they always asked how he’s been as a person. Tyler has been humble, there was no ego, he showed ultra-professionalism and always wanted the best for the team first and foremost.
“We have done a lot of work away from the pitch with Tyler and he has embraced every little detail we have asked of him. As a 17-year-old, you can’t really ask any more of him.”
After making his debut in a 3-0 FA Trophy defeat at the hands of Garforth Town, Jones made his senior league debut in a 1-1 draw in a Northumberland derby clash with Blyth Spartans and went on to become a regular feature in the Colliers side over the last two months.
Although his side have struggled at the wrong end of the division, Read believes the young stopper has significantly improved and will return to the Magpies as a ‘better player and person’.
“I think he’s been selfishly happy about us being under pressure because it means he’s been a busy goalkeeper,” he explained. “Speaking to Tony and Paul at Newcastle, they wanted him tested and it’s been a big thing that he has been tested.
“As a goalkeeper, he relishes being as busy as he has been and it all aids his development and will help him progress to the level.
“He has never let his head drop. I feel he will go back to Newcastle as a better goalkeeper and an even better person - and I would like to think Newcastle will see a better version of Tyler and one that I hope will be able to show what he has brought from his time with us.”