Newcastle Toons
Fansided

Clark’s injury gives McEntee a chance to impress the Newcastle staff

By Carson A Merk

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 19: Oisin McEntee of Newcastle in action during the FA Youth Cup Fourth Round match between Crystal Palace and Newcastle United at Selhurst Park on January 19, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 19: Oisin McEntee of Newcastle in action during the FA Youth Cup Fourth Round match between Crystal Palace and Newcastle United at Selhurst Park on January 19, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Newcastle United’s first-team staff should get a good look at the promising Oisin McEntee.

Ciaran Clark was in solid form in the weeks before he had to leave the Arsenal match with an injury. Now, it appears that injury will keep him out for the rest of the Premier League season. While that’s a blow to Newcastle United, his absence has given the first team a chance to look at promising prospect Oisin McEntee.

The 19-year-old has reportedly been training with the first team since Clark went down. McEntee has been a mainstay in central defense for the U-23 squad in Premier League 2 play. He has one goal on the season. Born in New York, McEntee moved to Ireland with his family when he was young. He has played for and captained the Republic of Ireland’s U-19 team. It’s unlikely he moves ahead of any of the centre-backs this season, but the experience he will get in training and just being around the first-team players will be huge for his growth. He should make an appearance or two on the bench down the stretch.

For Newcastle United, promising players working towards the first team helps with a positive outlook for the future. Supporters are able to get attached to the players as they continue their development and that makes their arrival with the first team that much sweeter. With Federico Fernandez’s contract expiring this summer if an extension can’t be reached and the age of most of Newcastle’s central defenders, Oisin McEntee’s emergence could be massive for the Magpies.