Newcastle United coach confirms highly-rated defender looks set to leave club in 'next day or two'
Newcastle United don't seem to be in a position to be allowing any defenders to leave the club right now, given the injury issues in the first team.
Fabian Schar is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines, Sven Botman is made of glass, and Jamaal Lascelles is a Newcastle player in spirit only and may well be heading for the exit this month anyway.
Youngster Alex Murphy has been called up to the bench for much of this season and we've also seen Leo Shahar's name on there a few times too, which shows that there's a lack of depth.
However, the Under 21s are willing to let one of their big stars leave the club this month, it seems.
Cathal Heffenan is set for a move away from Newcastle United in the coming days
Last night, Under 21s gaffer Adam Lawrence left Irish centre-back Cathal Heffernan out of his squad for the 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough, with many suspecting that the 20-year-old could be involved with the first team today. However, Lawrence told the Shields Gazette after the game that he was absent because it's looking likely that Heffernan will be on the move.
“There is potentially something there with Heff. Nothing is confirmed so it would be wrong to speak about anything in terms of that it may happen or it may not happen. When there was some potential with it, we made the decision as staff to say maybe it’s best that he sits this one out with a view to something happening so he is preparing himself for that. It may end up happening in the next day or two, it may end up being a little bit longer but he is someone that sits in that bracket of being ready to take that next step.
“I think if you look at Heff’s performances, particularly in the Under-21s games over the last couple of months, you can see he is ready for that next step in terms of going into senior football physically and his level of performance. We are delighted and feel something is close to happening but we and he have to work hard to get it over the line and go - but he is definitely ready.”
We'll have to wait and see if Cathal Heffernan's move is a permanent one
There's no mention of whether Heffernan's exit will be permanent or on loan, but looking at the language Lawrence used, it does suggest that his time at Newcastle is not done.
Heffernan was snapped up by Newcastle from AC Milan in 2023 as he was seen as someone who could develop into a first-team player for the club.
Despite all of the promise, Heffernan has yet to make an appearance for the first team, so we can see why a move away for some first-team action makes sense. Let's hope it is just a loan, and we get to develop the youngster further.
