Sean Neave in talks over loan move to Wolves - Sky Sports

Sean Neave is in talks over a loan move to Wolves, according to Sky Sports’ Keith Downie, with the Championship club reportedly the most advanced of several second-tier options.

Nothing has been agreed or announced yet, but this looks like a cracking opportunity for the 19-year-old.

Earlier on deadline day, Keith Downie reported that Newcastle had sanctioned a temporary exit for Neave. Our initial update suggested League One was his most likely destination, although Championship clubs were also interested. Wolves now appear to have moved to the front of that queue.

Exactly the sort of loan Newcastle need

When Rory Finneran’s move to Notts County emerged last week, we said Newcastle needed to find similarly useful moves for more of their prospects. Neave was specifically named.

It seems that is exactly what is happening.

Neave has scored regularly at academy level and has already had a taste of senior football with Newcastle. Another full season of Under-21 matches would only take him so far. He needs defenders kicking lumps out of him, points on the line and a manager relying on him to make a difference.

Robbie Stockdale made it clear earlier this year that Neave needed to become stronger and adapt physically. A year in the Championship would test that properly.

Familiar faces, but minutes must come first

There are Toon old boys everywhere at Molineux these days.

Kieran Trippier, Adam Armstrong and John Ruddy have all joined Wolves, so Neave would have a few familiar faces around him during his first prolonged spell away from Tyneside.

He could also learn plenty from Armstrong and Raúl Jiménez. They are two experienced centre-forwards with very different games, and that sort of daily education would be hugely valuable.

Newcastle have experienced attackers, but we cannot currently offer Neave the same combination of proper senior minutes and experienced strikers to learn from.

The minutes remain the important bit, though. Armstrong and Jiménez have already featured together for Wolves this season, so the competition is obvious. Learning from the bench is useful, but a loan spent permanently on the bench is still a loan spent on the bench.

Provided Wolves see Neave as a genuine first-team option, this feels like an excellent move. Championship football, promotion pressure, familiar faces and two vastly experienced strikers alongside him.