A loan market flop, rising star and summer signing set for Newcastle United FA Cup break

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 19: Thomas Allan of Newcastle avoids a tackle from Joseph Hungbo and Nya Kirby of Crystal Palace during the FA Youth Cup Fourth Round match between Crystal Palace and Newcastle United at Selhurst Park on January 19, 2018 in London, England. (Photo by Jordan Mansfield/Getty Images)

The Gazette understands 20-year-old forward Thomas Allan will be on the bench for Newcastle at Spotland tomorrow, when the Magpies take on League One Rochdale in the third round of the FA Cup.

Carlisle United and Blackpool loan flop Elias Sorensen is also set to join Allan on the sidelines, with defender Ludwig Francilette – a summer signing from non-league football in France – another who is likely to travel with FIVE of Newcastle’s six central defensive options all missing out.

Lewis Cass could also come into Bruce's thinking, having been left out of the Magpies' under-23 side against Fulham (Friday).

NANJING, CHINA - JULY 17: Elias Sorensen #47 of Newcastle United controls the ball during the Premier League Asia Trophy 2019 fixture between Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers at Nanjing Olympic Sports Centre on July 17, 2019 in Nanjing, China.(Photo by Fred Lee/Getty Images for Premier League)

And Bruce sees this weekend as the perfect opportunity for someone to stake a first-team claim, much like £50million-rated Sean Longstaff did last season in this competition.

“The FA Cup is the FA Cup. I would love to freshen up and do this, that and the other,” said Bruce, who is set to be without five of his six central defenders, as well as key men Allan Saint-Maximin and Jonjo Shelvey.

“This is an opportunity. Longy (Sean Longstaff) came in last year with injuries and look what happened to him since.”

On giving youngsters a chance, he added: “We have got one or two. We will have three or four travelling with us. Last year the door was opened for Sean, it could be the same for someone else.”