Newcastle United are preparing for the return of Rodrigo Vilca with his loan stint at Peruvian club Universitario on the brink of expiry.
Loan manager Shola Ameobi has been running checks on Vilca's progress in South America with the 23-year-old having an average time in his home country, playing 21 times, scoring once and making just two assists in a league that Newcastle chiefs were hoping he'd tear up when he departed for loan earlier this year.
With Universitario unable to afford a permanent deal for Vilca - or able to get anywhere near his wages - the attacking midfielder will head back to Tyneside in the next month with the Peruvian season set to end soon. Newcastle sent Vilca to Doncaster Rovers last year before he was recalled.
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And unlike Mexican youngster Santiago Munoz - who Newcastle are not looking to sign permanently according to reports in his home country - United don't have the easy option for Vilca. Indeed, the forward is contracted until 2024 and will need either another loan or a good run in the Under-21s where he can play as overage player.
Munoz's 18-month loan deal is over and he is expected to return to Santos Laguna. The 20-year-old showed flashes of what he could do last season but has since lost his place in Elliott Dickman's side with youngsters like Jay Turner-Cooke and Ellis Stanton overtaking him.
Magpies set to jet off to Saudi Arabia for winter break
Newcastle had a successful stay in Jeddah last winter when they held a warm-weather training camp and played a friendly against local side Al-Ittihad which they won 2-1. And they seem likely to return to Saudi Arabia again in November during the World Cup break.
Howe is keen for an mini pre-season and also wants a few friendly matches to keep his non-international brigade ticking over. Their trip to Jeddah was perfect last term with team building and intense sessions on an excellent five-match unbeaten run that essentially kept the club in the Premier League.
Night of fate for Newcastle Under-21s in the Papa Johns Trophy
The Magpies won't kick a ball next week in the Papa Johns but their chances of progress into the knockout stages could be decided in Group E's other match. Table toppers Doncaster Rovers face Barnsley at the Eco Power Stadium with a night of varying scenarios in store.
A Donny win would in normal time would leave Newcastle's second string needing to beat Lincoln City away next midweek in their final match to qualify for the knockout stage. A Barnsley triumph in the South Yorkshire derby would see both Rovers and the Tykes take the two qualifying places.
Of course, the game could go to spot-kicks if it is drawn and were Barnsley to pick up a point in a shoot-out defeat that could still see Newcastle get through if they win well at Lincoln.
It's all a bit complex, but Newcastle will know by bedtime on Tuesday night whether their game against the Imps is a dead rubber or not.
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