Newcastle United defender Lewis Cass is set to join Port Vale on a season-long loan deal, according to Chronicle Live journalist Lee Ryder.
The lowdown
Cass, who’s predominantly a centre-half but can also operate as a right-back, has made nearly 50 appearances for Newcastle at under-23 level without being handed a senior debut.
He spent last season on loan in the National League with Hartlepool United, notching 39 appearances as they secured promotion back to the Football League.
His Hartlepool team-mate Gary Liddle said that Cass, along with fellow defenders Ryan Johnson and Timo Odusina, had been ‘immense’ for the club.
The latest
Ryder tweeted that Newcastle’s ‘loan operations have started’, which seems to indicate that moves will be arranged for more youngsters to ensure regular game-time.
Cass will complete his medical before finalising his move to the League Two outfit. He apparently ‘attracted a lot of interest’ from the Football League and from Scotland off the back of his spell at Hartlepool, but it’s the Valiants who appear to have won the race for his signature.
The verdict
This looks a decent move for Cass, representing natural progression following a strong loan stint in the National League, but his chances of a breakthrough for the 21-year-old at Newcastle look fairly slim given that so many appearances at youth level have yet to prompt a first team runout.
Cass is into the final 12 months of his contract at St James’ Park, and it would be telling if Newcastle didn’t extend that deal before he makes his loan move to Port Vale.
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