Newcastle United are concerned that Rodrigo Vilca remains some way away from where he needs to be to compete for a place in Steve Bruce’s first-team, according to Chronicle Live.
The Toon signed Vilca from Deportivo Municipal in his native Peru for a nominal £225,000 last October. But the 22-year-old is yet to step up to the senior squad and spent his debut year on Tyneside in the Magpies’ Under 23 squad.
Vilca turned out 10 times for Newcastle’s youth side and offered one goal and one assist in all competitions. Both of his goal involvements for the entire campaign also came against Stoke’s U23s in a PL2 fixture in December.
Newcastle are concerned that Vilca is not showing enough progress in his development as the midfielder remains some way away from the needed standard for Bruce’s squad. The club are instead keeping expectations of the Lima-born playmaker to a minimum.
A loan remains possible this summer, as well, but a move is yet to materialise despite some Peruvian media expecting a transfer. Loan Manager Shola Ameobi was in talks with Carlisle United over a deal but talks with the Cumbrians have cooled.
Ameobi hopes to find a team that will give Vilca the chance to play senior football week in, week out. But Chronicle Live share doubt in clubs stepping forward willing to entrust him over proven first-team options.
Bruce is also yet to unleash Vilca in the Newcastle first-team during pre-season, with him turning out for the U23s. The Peruvian impressed for parts of the game against Gateshead on Saturday by gliding past defenders. But his overall impact was rather short-lived.
Bruce could yet unleash Vilca in Newcastle first-team this summer
Chronicle Live expect Vilca will feature for Newcastle’s U23s again at Blyth Spartans on Tuesday. But Bruce could yet unleash the midfielder in the first-team when the Magpies face Norwich this Saturday.
United host the Canaries at St James’ Park this weekend for their final warm-up before hosting West Ham. Daniel Farke’s Championship winners will provide Bruce a good test before facing the Irons on the opening day of the Premier League season.
Bruce will likely look to field as close to a full-strength Newcastle line-up, though, which could rule Vilca out. He will want the Toon in sync ahead of hosting the Hammers, having lost their opening home game in both of his two seasons in charge so far.
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