Newcastle loanee Kell Watts set for Peterborough return after injury

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Kell Watts has endured an injury ridden season since joining Peterborough United on loan from Newcastle United, but is now set to return.

Newcastle sent Watts to Peterborough at the start of the season, with the centre-back agreeing a temporary move to the League One side.

It is a division that the 23-year-old has played well in before, helping Wigan Athletic achieve promotion during his spell there last season.

This is the fifth loan spell of Watts’ Newcastle career, who has only ever made one senior appearance for the Magpies. Steve Bruce gave him his debut, playing around 15 minutes in a defeat to Liverpool back in 2020.

The defender has been limited to just 11 appearances for the Posh so far this season, but is now set to make his return from injury.

Kell Watts set to return from injury on Saturday

Watts was suffering from a knee injury at the start of the season, and has since suffered further heartache in 2023. He has missed Peterborough’s previous 14 games with a hamstring problem.

They take on Oxford United this weekend, and manager Darren Ferguson has spoke to Peterborough Today and provided a huge update on Watts’ fitness.

“Kell Watts also gives us options at the back and he looking fit and well for Saturday,” he said.

Watts running out of time to earn Newcastle chance

It is a timely return for Watts, with Peterborough preparing for a late promotion charge. They are currently seventh in League One, but sit just a single point outside the playoff places.

Another promotion would look good on Watts’ CV, whose career could be at a crossroads this summer.

Unless he plays like prime Franz Beckenbauer between now and the end of the season, it is difficult to see him getting a chance at Newcastle when he returns. He could be returning to a team that suddenly finds itself in the Champions League.

That could make it very hard for Watts to get senior football, whose Toon contract expires in the summer of 2024.

For now, all Watts can do is focus on the present. He has not played a single minute since January 1st, and will be absolutely desperate to get back out there this weekend.