A Newcastle United youngster caught the eye during his debut for his loan club.

Newcastle United Under-21s lead coach Robbie Stockdale believes Rory Finneran’s ‘level-headed’ attitude will help the Magpies youngster cope with the pressure he will face during his loan spell with League One club Notts County.

The former Blackburn Rovers academy midfielder became a regular feature within Stockdale’s side throughout last season and his form earned a shock call-up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad during the summer. Finneran earned his first cap when he came off the bench in a 5-0 friendly win against Grenada before returning to Tyneside to appear for United’s senior side in pre-season friendlies against Darlington, Bayer Leverkusen and Strasbourg.

Finneran capped the Magpies Under-21s in their Premier League 2 opener against Tottenham Hotspur last week before landing the first loan move of his career when he joined Notts County on a season-long loan later in the week. The 18-year-old will spend the season at Meadow Lane and he made an immediate impression with his new temporary employers when he produced an impressive display in a debut win against Burton Albion on Saturday.

Speaking after his debut, the United youngster told the League One club’s official website: “It was really quick but there’s no better way I could have started really so it was a really good experience. I found out the move was done on Wednesday morning, travelled up on Thursday morning, trained Friday morning and played Saturday. It was a really quick turnaround but it was a great experience. I found it really good, starting, it was a bit of pressure on me and I think I did well. I really enjoyed it so hopefully many more of them.”

‘I think he’ll handle that side of it really well’ - Stockdale on Finneran

Newcastle United Under-21s lead coach Robbie Stockdale | Getty Images

Magpies Under-21s lead coach Stockdale believes ‘one or two’ current members of his squad could depart on loan on transfer deadline day after Finneran and fellow midfielder Anthony Munda secured season-long loan moves away from Tyneside over the last week. The likes of Sean Neave and Miodrag Pivas are both attracting interest within the final 24 hours of the summer transfer window and they could be handed a chance to experience senior football on a regular basis for the first time in their careers before Tuesday’s 11pm deadline.

That would see them follow Munda and Finneran’s lead - and Stockdale believes the latter is in the right place to take the next step in his development at Meadow Lane.

Speaking after Monday’s defeat against Fulham, he said: “It’s a really good loan for him isn’t it? Notts County are a really good football club. I don’t know how many were there but I would imagine it would be a big crowd for his debut. Rory is a good player, he’s quite a level-headed lad and I think he’ll handle that side of it really well. With any loan, there will be ups and downs but that is really pleasing. Obviously, Anth Munda is out on loan as well at Swindon, two of our high quality midfielders out on loan and it’s brilliant for them.”

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