A few Newcastle United fans have been reacting on social media, after the club announced that Kell Watts has completed a loan move to Mansfield Town until the end of the season.
Watts had spent the first half of the campaign with League Two strugglers Stevenage, with whom the 20-year-old made 14 starts in 16 fourth-tier appearances in a variety of roles.
The Alnwick-born defender began the campaign as a first-choice option at the back, but had also been tasked with playing a central and wide midfield role, as well as at striker, before being recalled earlier this month.
United chiefs had been impressed with what they saw from Watts during his time at Broadhall Way before suffering a knee injury, as he built on his Newcastle debut having featured for the first-team against Wolverhampton Wanderers during last summer’s Premier League Asia Trophy.
Mansfield Town boss John Dempster wasted no time in handing Watts his Stags debut, with the Toon prospect fielded in the Nottinghamshire outfit’s 3-1 defeat at Oldham on Tuesday night.
Does Watts have a first-team future at St. James' Park?
Yes
No
Watts started in central midfield at Boundary Park and would see out the full 90 minutes having recorded 40 touches, struck three shots, played one key ball from 20 accurate passes, made one successful dribble, won two of three aerial duels and one of three attempted tackles, per WhoScored data.
Here are some of the messages shared as fans reacted to Watts joining League Two’s current 22nd-placed side Mansfield on loan for the remainder of the season…
Making space for Ronaldo I like it 🙄
— Darrell Watson (@DarrellWatson8) January 28, 2020
Making space for Mbappé? Things I like to see
— James Potter (@James2210_) January 28, 2020
What was the point of recalling him from stevenage? He was playing regularly.
— Ryan Ross ®® (@RyanRoss52) January 28, 2020
Best of luck with your loan move Kell Watts wish you all the best and hope to see back at the toon in the summer
— Mark Roche (@Roche1Mark) January 28, 2020
He’s a gentleman.. he will hold door open for you if you want to walk through the door. Canny lad
— Nufc 👍 (@nufc1892fc) January 28, 2020
Anything on signings Lee?
— Jamie Storey (@jamiewstorey) January 28, 2020
In other Newcastle United news, Steve Bruce has been given late hope of landing a €40m striker after a key deal collapsed.