Carried by the winds of ‘Gayle Force’, the Rafaloution at Newcastle United has the punters in the Transfer Tavern dancing on the pool tables. 

Despite their sleep-walking into relegation last term, the Magpies have been re-energised of late and really do not look like a side who will be playing Championship football next term.

The rotation policy in play under Benitez seems to be working for now, though the strength and depth the club boast is far deeper-rooted than simply by the players currently on Tyneside.

Clearly, the ultimate aim simply has to be winning promotion from England’s second tier, though the nature of their summer transfer window hints at a much longer term project.

For the first time what seems like forever, there are players out on loan from the North East giants that could feasibly come back and freshen up the first-team fold.

With that in mind, here are TWO loanees the Toon really should get excited about.

Adam Armstrong

For such a footballing hotbed, the North East does not often produce top burgeoning prospects.

However, the emergence of Adam Armstrong has tongues wagging on Tyneside and the England youth international is making quite a name for himself at Barnsley.

With the Toon Army desperate for a homegrown hero, the supremely talented forward could be a legend in the making.

Henri Saivet

Yes, Henri Saviet.

After signing in January, the Senegalese endured a nightmare spell in black and white and was soon farmed out on loan to St. Etienne.

However, the 25-year-old is a talented player, just not quite talented enough to eradicate the Steve McClaren-induced awfulness the club were dragged through.

To be fair to him, few players are.