Kell Watts has told nufc.co.uk that the praise Newcastle United’s first-team gave on Eddie Howe before signing a new contract has the defender excited to work with the Toon boss.
The Magpies have handed Watts a new two-year deal as reward for his impressive efforts on loan with Wigan Athletic. He joined the Latics last summer following talks with former United boss Steve Bruce over his potential role at St James’ Park had he stayed this term.
Watts has so far made 18 appearances in League One to help Wigan challenge for the title and automatic promotion. Leam Richardson’s side currently trail leaders Rotherham by six-points, but hold two games in hand. The Latics also have the second-best defensive record.
Wigan have kept nine clean sheets with Watts on the pitch, including in their 2-0 win over Crewe on Tuesday. He has also helped the Latics to shut out Rotherham earlier this season.
Watts keen to impress Howe after penning new Newcastle contract
Watts will return to Newcastle from his Wigan loan at the end of the season and hopes to impress Howe. The Toon hired the 44-year-old in November to replace Bruce, who handed the defender his Magpies debut in a 16-minute cameo against Liverpool back in May 2020.
The 22-year-old has not featured for the United first-team since facing the Reds on the final day of the term. Watts had also not met Howe until signing his new terms, but has received positive words on the Toon boss from those at St James’ and enjoyed their recent meeting.
“Speaking to the lads, all of them have said great things and it made me excited,” Watts said. “And speaking to him now, I’m looking forward to working with him in pre-season and just showing him what I’m about.
“I’ll just do what I do on a day-to-day basis and what I’ve done for the past few years when playing professional football. But it’ll be great to work with him.
“It was good to meet him and sit down with him and have a chat, let him get to know a bit about me, me learn about them [Howe’s backroom team] and the way they work, and it’ll be good working with him in the future.”
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