Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has decided to keep the midfielder amid loan interest.
Eddie Howe has stated that Joe White will be part of Newcastle United’s first-team plans for the rest of the season.
During the first part of the season, the 21-year-old was loaned out to Crewe Alexandra, where he scored three goals and assisted three others.
Crewe and other EFL clubs expressed interest in extending White’s contract, but Howe chose to keep him on Tyneside due to a lack of midfield options.
“Joe will stay with us for the rest of the season,” confirmed Howe. “We’re light on bodies in midfield and I think it is a good opportunity for him to come in and show he’s at the level.
“He’s certainly improved. The loan spell has been a very beneficial thing for him. This could be a great opportunity for him.”
United will be without Joelinton until May after the Brazilian underwent thigh surgery last week. Joe Willock and Elliot Anderson are also out, leaving Sean Longstaff, 17-year old Lewis Miley, and Bruno Guimaraes, who is one Premier League yellow card away from a two game suspension, as the only available central midfielders.
White was cup-tied for United’s FA Cup fourth-round victory at Fulham on Saturday, having previously played for Crewe in the first and second rounds against Derby County and Bristol Rovers, respectively. FA Cup rules prohibit players from representing two clubs in the competition during the same season.
Howe’s team return to Premier League action against Aston Villa on Tuesday night, and White might be added to the matchday squad.
White switched from Carlisle United’s academy to Newcastle’s in 2016. He was linked with Celtic, Rangers, Chelsea, and Leeds United before signing a new three-year contract in March 2022.
The former Hartlepool United and Exeter City loanee is yet to make a senior first-team appearance for the Magpies, but has played in a number of pre-season friendlies.
