Newcastle United news: Ex-Magpies striker compared to current hitman as he aims for promotion with Sunderland's League One rivals

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - JANUARY 04: Ivan Toney of Peterborough United is challenged by Matthew Lowton of Burnley during the FA Cup Third Round match between Burnley FC and Peterborough United at Turf Moor on January 04, 2020 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Nathan Stirk/Getty Images) | Getty Images

Former Newcastle United striker Ivan Toney has drawn comparisons with current Magpies hitman Dwight Gayle.

The Peterborough forward, aiming to fire the Posh to promotion in League One, has been a revelation at London Road since he was binned by then St James’s Park chief Rafa Benitez.

And Darren Ferguson believes Toney, who is valued around the £10million mark, can be as good as Gayle, if he continues to score goals in the third tier.

In an interview with Peterboroughtoday.co.uk, Posh manager Ferguson said: “Ivan is a different to all the other top strikers I have managed because he can play well as a target man.

“Obviously there is far more to his game than that, but that physicality and strength when you can also play so well technically is a real bonus.

“I would put him right up there with the likes of Aaron (McLean), Britt (Assombalonga) and Dwight as the best strikers I’ve managed and only time will tell whether or not he enjoys careers as good as those. He certainly has a chance.

“Ivan is still young. He will improve further and I am just delighted we have him here as he is undoubtedly the best all-round player in League One.

“He scores all sorts of goals. He scores with either foot from all sorts of distances and he scores with his head.”

Toney has attracted interest from the Premier League with relegation-threatened Bournemouth believed to be keen on the player.

Newcastle are understood to have a 10% sell-on fee, should Peterborough cash in on Toney.