Newcastle United are reportedly exploring a deal to sign West Ham United right-back Harrison Ashby.

The Lowdown: Krafth injury

Emil Krafth has confirmed that he is going to be sidelined for several months with a knee injury, which has potentially alerted the St James' Park outfit in the final few days of the transfer window.

It leaves Kieran Trippier and Javier Manquillo as their only avaiable senior right-backs, with the latter linked with a move away from Tyneside this summer.

The Latest: Ashby interest

As per The Daily Mail, Newcastle are exploring a deal for Ashby, who has been tipped for a bright future with David Moyes promoting him to the Hammers' first-team squad.

Eddie Howe's side are thought to be readying a £2.5m bid for the Scotland under-21 international to try to tempt the Irons to sell before Thursday night's transfer deadline.

The Verdict: Get it done

Having already made six senior appearances at the London Stadium, including in this season's Europa Conference League play-off first leg at home to Viborg (Transfermarkt), Ashby is a precocious prospect at just 20 years of age.

He has previously been hailed as 'fearless' and 'like a giant' by West Ham podcaster Sam Delaney, so he should provide sufficient cover for Trippier at right-back while Krafth recovers from his injury.

Also, Ashby shares the same agent as Howe, so this is a deal which could be pushed through quickly as the transfer deadline looms.