Newcastle United talent Kell Watts’ new loan boss Grant McCann has defended the decision to sign the 22-year-old despite his current injury status.
League One promotion hopefuls Peterborough United swooped for Watts, despite a current knee injury. It means four weeks before the left-sided centre-half will make his Posh debut. But McCann is “delighted” to get the deal done believing the Newcastle United talent has the attributes to succeed at London Road.
“He is 6ft 4, strong in the air and comfortable on the ball and is a left-sided centre-back, so I am pleased we have managed to get it over the line,” said McCann in his pre-match press conference ahead of the league fixture at Portsmouth this weekend, as transcribed by Peterborough Today.
“He has a really good pedigree and is an excellent defender.
“The only downside to it is that he is currently injured, it might take him three or four weeks to get back and available for selection, but we wanted to wait for him.”
Eddie Howe is a fan
Newcastle United fans are well aware of Watts’ talent after he starred for Wigan Athletic on loan last season. He was a key player, playing 35 times, as the Latics earned promotion to the Championship.
It even looked as if Eddie Howe might be ready to give Watts a chance this season. Reports in August suggested the Newcastle United boss was impressed with Watts’ performances during Newcastle United’s pre-season camp in Austria.
Unfortunately, it was during that tour Watts picked up a knee injury, requiring surgery, from which he remains sidelined. The eventual arrival of Sven Botman from Lille then made another loan spell almost inevitable.
A gamble on the Newcastle United talent
From Peterborough’s end, this loan deal is a gamble, especially as the length of the spell is only until January. It’s likely they were unwilling to risk a one-year deal, given the unpredictable nature of a knee injury.
However, given his promotion-winning pedigree, the Posh will no doubt hope Watts proves his fitness when available, at which point they can extend his stay until the end of the 2022-23 campaign.
As for Watts’ future at Newcastle United, it seems there is still hope, despite the latest temporary exit.
As stated earlier, reports suggest Howe is a fan of Watts. His form at the DW Stadium earned the 22-year-old a new two-year contract at St James’ Park in February. Watts, who has been with the club since he was eight years old, declared himself “buzzing” at the time.
Hopefully, he can have another standout season in the third-tier, increasing his chances of a bright future on Tyneside.
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