A rule change by FIFA could do a big favour for one Newcastle United talent.
Kelland Watts is one of the most exciting young players to come out of the Magpies’ academy in recent years.
The 20-year-old, who can play midfield and centre-back, has been named on the subs bench a couple of times for Premier League games but hasn’t yet made his competitive debut.
But could that change between now and the end of the season?
According to The Chronicle, Newcastle boss Steve Bruce has the option to use him over the next nine Premier League games.
Watts returned from his loan at Mansfield Town recently and having also represented Stevenage during the first half of the campaign, was unable to play for his parent club this season.
In England, players were only permitted to play for two clubs in the one season, but The Chronicle has claimed that FIFA has modified its rule, making it three teams instead of two.
Considering he’s already made the bench in a Premier League game this season – away at Wolves in January – the player is obviously known to Bruce and it’ll be interesting to see if the veteran manager gives him a taste of the big time between now and the end of the 2019-20 campaign.
Bruce’s side are 13th in the table and eight points clear of the relegation zone.
It’s entirely possible that they’ll be mathematically safe over the coming weeks and when that happens, it’s also possible that the United boss could start experimenting by using young players.
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