20-year-old midfielder returns to Newcastle training after loan spell ends

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Eddie Howe’s players are currently preparing for Saturday’s game against Leeds United, and the Newcastle United boss has welcomed a returning player back to the group.

Newcastle have released a selection of training photos from Wednesday’s session, and there is a surprise player involved in the session.

Joe White back at Newcastle after Exeter spell

In the background of multiple pictures on the club’s official website, Joe White can be seen taking part.

He left the club at the start of the year, joining Exeter City on loan for the rest of the season. But with the League One campaign now over, it appears that the midfielder is back to work on Tyneside rather than heading off for an end of season break.

It is great to see the 20-year-old immediately return to first-team training, and that is where he will hope his long-term future lies.

The same thing happened to Elliot Anderson

White coming back from his loan spell to train with Newcastle straight away is similar to what happened to Elliot Anderson last year.

After helping Bristol Rovers achieve promotion to League One, he was straight back in the mix at Newcastle’s training ground. However, he was not eligible to play. That will likely be the same for White, who has never made a senior appearance for the Magpies. So don’t expect to see him on the bench at Elland Road this weekend.

This was the young midfielder’s second loan spell away from St James’ Park. He spent the second half of last season at Hartlepool United, and this year he took the step up to the third tier of English football.

White made 16 appearances for Exeter, starting just six times. He provided one assist during his time there, helping Gary Caldwell’s side to a mid-table finish of 14th place.

It will be interesting to see what the future holds for White, who has previously been called ‘talented‘ by Howe. He will obviously be keen to make the grade at Newcastle, but that could be very difficult given the rising standards on Tyneside. Hopefully he gets a chance to impress in pre-season, but it feels like another loan move away is likely.

With the Football League ending earlier than the Premier League, it will be intriguing to see whether any other loanees return to Toon training alongside White, such as Isaac Hayden.