Newcastle United teenage midfielder Jack Young has caught the eye of Steve Bruce after a string of impressive performances for the under-23s, according to the Chronicle.
The 18-year-old has been keeping summer signing Kyle Scott out of Neil Redfearn’s team, and played a key part in the under-23s’ 3-2 victory over Norwich City on Monday.
Under the watchful eye of Bruce against the Canaries, both Young and his midfield partner Mo Sangare played important roles in the victory.
The under-23 manager, Redfearn, has insisted he sees similar qualities in Young to England international Lewis Cook, after working with the Bournemouth man at Leeds United.
“He is a clever little player, and a bright footballer,” he told the Chronicle.
“There’s a lot of traits in him, and I have said to him, that remind me of Lewis Cook at Leeds.”
“He’s got that athleticism too and over four or five yards he gets things quick on second balls then he uses the ball well.”
OPINION
After only making the step up to the under-23s squad at the beginning of the season, Young has been mightily impressive in the heart of midfield. The 18-year-old could have made the step up too early but has more than earnt his spot in Redfearn’s side. To have caught the eye of Bruce so early in his stint with the under-23s, the midfielder could be the next starlet to follow in the footsteps of the Longstaff brothers, Sean and Matty. Young is definitely on the right path and will be delighted to be compared to Cook. The Bournemouth man’s rise to the Premier League more than proves that he is in the right hands with Redfearn, who can develop him into a top-flight midfielder in the coming seasons. Cook made his return to Premier League action on Sunday after a long-term injury and impressed in midfield, completing one tackle and two interceptions in a 3-1 win over Everton according to WhoScored. If Young can keep up his form in the under-23s with those sort of numbers, it will only be a matter of time before he is given an opportunity.
