Former Newcastle winger Callum Roberts did not have much luck during his time at Newcastle, which ultimately saw him released, but it may yet come back to haunt them.
He was named on Newcastle’s bench for two Premier League games in January, but never managed to get onto the pitch.
He then went to Colchester on loan, before his stint was cut short due to him only getting 37 of a possible 630 minutes of League Two game time.
It was a bit of a surprise that Newcastle decided to release the 22-year-old, particularly as he scored an impressive 30 Premier League 2 goals from 80 appearances for the Newcastle under-23 side, and also had a further 21 assists.
He signed for Blyth Spartans in the summer, and has been on fire in a division clearly beneath him, scoring seven goals in just eight matches – including two hat-tricks in a week.
Those numbers have caught the eye of League One Rotherham United, who are giving Roberts a trial this week, and there will not be many Newcastle fans who would begrudge him success.
Roberts could have been a good bench option this season
Given his relatively tender age, and Newcastle’s struggles on the right wing, it may be a decision they now regret.
Although he would not be the short-term answer to Steve Bruce’s right flank woes, he could have been a valuable asset to come off the bench and influence the second-half of a game this season.
If he had been given more time, and made the most of any opportunity at St James’ Park, it could have given Newcastle the chance to bring a winger in on loan, knowing that in a year’s time, Roberts may have been ready for the first team.
It was what happened with Sean Longstaff, and who was to say Roberts may not have been the next to make a breakthrough?
It seemed an odd decision at the time, and although Rotherham is not exactly like playing for a Premier League side, if he is successful in Yorkshire, and ends up catching the eye of some of the higher clubs, Newcastle may yet rue the day they did not give Roberts more time.
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