Former Newcastle United and Norwich City midfielder accepts key role at South Shields

South Shields have confirmed former Newcastle United and Norwich City midfielder Matty Pattison has accepted an offer to become Elliott Dickman’s assistant manager.

The Mariners have been looking for a new number two since former assistant Andy Inness accepted an offer to take up a position within Sunderland’s academy last month. Pattison has been in and around the club he represented as a player during the 2017/18 season over the last fortnight and Dickman revealed the 38-year-old was in talks over filling the vacancy in the aftermath of his side’s home defeat against Darlington on New Years’ Day.

He told The Gazette: “We have Matty Pattison helping us this week and it might be something longer-term for Matty. Andy had the opportunity and we wish him good luck. This is Patta’s week and we will sit down at the end of the week to see if it’s something he wants to do and if it’s something we want to do and have that conversation. If not we will look further afield but there is no immediate rush or panic. We have good people in and around the dressing room, good people in the building, a lot of senior heads we can lean on if needed.”

Pattison will take up his new position with immediate effect and will be alongside Dickman in the home dugout for Saturday’s home game with Oxford City.

Meanwhile, the Mariners have also confirmed young midfielder Ewan McGowan’s loan spell at Northern Premier League Premier Division club Morpeth Town has been extended by a further month.