Newcastle fans are buzzing to be back in the Premier League for next season.

Rafael Benitez’s successful campaign in the Championship saw the Magpies experience a comfortable route back in to the Premier League despite the race for the league title going down to the wire with fellow promoted side, Brighton and Hove Albion. However, the strong squad possessed by Benitez was enough to see them come up and there is a great amount of optimism around with the new season fast approaching.

Benitez is also the perfect manager to share his experience with the young talent in the Newcastle ranks and although he possess great pulling power in the market, our landlord believes the Spaniard may well benefit from bringing some young blood into the first team from the club academy.

Our resident Geordies agree as they always like to see some of their own in the Newcastle starting eleven but the debate has now progressed to which young Newcastle player should they be on the look out for next season.

The debate has more or less reached a climax and the Toon Army in the Tavern have listen the two hidden gems that should be watched out for ahead of the new season…

Tom Heardman

At 6ft 4in, Heardman really has the physical presence to be a nuisance in the Premier League and our landlord believes Benitez should give the 21-year-old a chance, especially to give their attack a new dimension.

Heardman had a strong year for the Newcastle U23 side and with his time at St James’ Park approaching make or break, our resident Geordies in the Tavern are worried that the young striker may end up being one that got away if Benitez doesn’t give him his chance.

Jamie Sterry

21-year-old Sterry has been around the Newcastle first team for parts of last season and our resident Newcastle punters in the Tavern believe he should be given a chance to prove himself by Rafa Benitez.

At present DeAndre Yedlin and Vurnon Anita are ahead of Sterry in his favoured right back position but he is still being touted as someone that everyone should be keeping their eye on and our landlord would not be surprised to see Sterry break into the first team at some point during next season, with the early season cup games being his chance to really impress Rafael Benitez.