Signs look good for young Ryan Donaldson

NEWCASTLE UNITED are set to offer England under-19 international Ryan Donaldson a new contract.

The Geordie 20-year-old was farmed out on loan to Hartlepool United, with the League One club interested in making the deal a permanent transfer.

Donaldson, though, was recalled by Alan Pardew towards the end of the season due to a crippling injury crisis.

The Gosforth lad was included in several of the Toon manager’s squads towards the end of the season.

United are keen to continue to see how Donaldson develops, with the player more than capable of operating in both midfield and attack. At 20, though, the Academy product understandably is keen on playing first-team football.

Pardew refused to be pushed into a decision on the England youth international when he said: “We have not made any decisions on some of the younger players, including Ryan.”

Ideally, Pardew wants time and space to assess some of his youngsters during the pre-season programme before being hurried into any loan moves.

Meanwhile, United keeper Tim Krul emerged as one of the heroes for Holland in their 0-0 draw with Brazil as he kept a clean sheet on his full international debut for the Dutch.

The Toon shot-stopper said: “It was an amazing evening and I am very happy. It went really well, although I admit that I had some luck as well when Erik Pieters cleared a ball off the goal-line.

“Keeping a clean sheet against Brazil is quite something.”