The two Newcastle United-linked names everyone's talking about in the Championship

Between them, the pair have scored 27 goals for Blackburn Rovers and Brentford respectively so far this season.

Both left Newcastle United two years ago in search of regular first-team football – and they haven’t looked back.

Armstrong, 23, and Toney will face each other at the Brentford Community Stadium tomorrow following a goal-laden couple of months in English football’s unforgiving second tier.

With Newcastle out of action this weekend due to a Covid-19 outbreak at the club, the game will be of interest to fans on Tyneside – and supporters will again ask whether Rafa Benitez was right to sell them on in the summer of 2018.

In truth, neither Armstrong nor Toney was ready for regular Premier League football back then, though the former was arguably closer, having made more appearances for the club.

Newcastle-born Armstrong, linked with a Premier League move this year, looked better the deeper he played for his boyhood club, though he’s wreaked havoc all over the pitch playing for Blackburn.

Toney, signed from Northampton Town in 2015, was very raw when he made four substitute’s appearances under Steve McClaren. Loan after loan followed, and he never got to pull on a black and white shirt again.

The 24-year-old, like Armstrong, has a “point to prove” after a phenomenal 18 months.

"I think we both have a point to prove," said Toney last month. "When I went to Newcastle, Adam was out on loan, but we did speak, and said we should both be playing up front together. It was never to happen, but he’s a great striker who knows where the goal is, for sure."

Toney – who joined Brentford from Peterborough in the summer in a £10million deal – will get a chance to show Newcastle what he can do now later this month.

Steve Bruce’s side will take on Toney and his team-mates in a Carabao Cup quarter-final at the Brentford Community Stadium on December 22.

Bruce, presumably, would like a player like Toney in his squad for the tie.

A message from the Football Clubs Editor

Our aim is to provide you with the best, most up-to-date and most informative Newcastle United coverage 365 days a year.

This depth of NUFC coverage costs, so to help us maintain the high-quality reporting that you are used to, please consider taking out a subscription to our new sports-only package here.

Your support is much appreciated. Richard Mennear, Football Clubs Editor