Newcastle United product Nathan Harker has been recalled from a loan spell with National League North side Blyth Spartans, the club have confirmed.
Harker had joined the Croft Park natives in the summer on a half-season deal, but has endured a challenging campaign under Spartans boss and former Magpies midfielder Lee Clark.
The 21-year-old goalkeeper had started the non-league outfit’s first six games of the campaign, but lost his place between the sticks in late August and had only featured twice since.
His last appearance for the Green Army came in a 2-0 defeat to Boston United last month, preceding a 6-0 mauling for Clark’s men at home to Brackley Town and a 3-0 away league loss at King’s Lynn.
Harker had been relishing the challenge of spending time away from St. James’ Park during his spell as Clark’s number one, but since found minutes harder to come by and has returned to Darsley Park ahead of schedule.
What next for Harker?
Back to the U23s
First-team bench role
Another loan deal
Sell him in January
The Northampton-born shot-stopper was one of the stars of our Under 23s last season, making 27 appearances, keeping eight clean sheets and helping the young Toon side reach the Premier League Cup Final and the Premier League 2 Division Two Play-Offs.
Rafa Benitez also named the young ‘keeper on the bench for both FA Cup Third Round ties against Blackburn Rovers in January and handed him his senior Magpies debut during a pre-season friendly with Royal Antwerp in 2018.
In other Newcastle United news, the club have been linked with a 6ft forward whose scored six goals in 14 games this season.