Paul Mitchell may be forced into action to bring Newcastle loan star back in January

Add as preferred source on Google

Newcastle United summer signing Miodrag Pivas has endured a tough time out on loan.

After Paul Mitchell was appointed as sporting director at Newcastle United, one of his first signings completed at the club was 19-year-old Miodrag Pivas.

Pivas joined Newcastle in July from Serbian side Jedinstvo Ub in the club’s latest attempt to unearth some talented youngsters.

• Who is Miodrag Pivas? Get to know Newcastle’s new Serbian sensation who Nemanja Matic says is a ‘huge talent’

Newcastle hope Pivas can replicate Yankuba Minteh after he was sold for a profit to Brighton in the summer. However, the young defender has not made an amazing start.

Just weeks after completing his move to Tyneside, Pivas was sent on a season-long loan to Dutch side Willem II. He is one of six Newcastle players out on loan in 2024/25.

How Miodrag Pivas has fared out on loan

After moving to Dutch side Willem II on loan, Pivas did not have to wait long for his debut. He made his first appearance in September as a late substitute in the 2-0 defeat to PSV Eindhoven.

Newcastle January target Johan Bakayoko also came off the bench in that clash for Pivas’ opponents.

The only other minutes Pivas has played in the Eredivisie this season is his eight-minute cameo against Ajax in late October.

He has made a total of four appearances for Willem II this season, with his other two matches coming in the KNVB Cup where he played the full 90 minutes at centre-back in the first and second round.

Pivas impressed in a five-goal blockbuster against Genemuiden, but he has been starved of game time in the league which will worry Newcastle coaching staff.

Paul Mitchell may have to recall Miodrag Pivas in January

One of Newcastle’s strategies to navigate Profit and Sustainability Rules is to buy talented players and develop them into superstars.

That was the blueprint for the Minteh deal, and Newcastle want to replicate that with Pivas.

READ MORE: Benfica prospect loved by Newcastle United attracting interest after failed summer approach

However, the loan move to the Netherlands has not worked out exactly as Mitchell would have hoped and he may have to intervene to make sure the young defender’s growth isn’t stunted.

Newcastle have the option to recall Pivas in January, and while he has not shown enough to join Howe’s first team, he could be sent out in another loan deal elsewhere.