By John Wenham

2nd Feb, 2023 | 3:20pm

Expert delighted by Newcastle United star Harrison Ashby as 'amazing' prediction made

New Newcastle United signing Harrison Ashby is a player of “great prospect”, according to someone who has seen him play in the flesh.

This assessment is according to youth football expert John Wenham, who regularly attends Premier League 2 and other youth games up and down the country.

Newcastle United announced the signing of Ashby, 21, from West Ham on deadline day after seeing a move fall through during the summer transfer window.

Sky Sports reported the deal is worth £3million including add-ons with the former Hammer due to be out of contract at the end of the season.

Newcastle have been without Kieran Trippier’susual stand-in Emil Krafth since the start of the season and he is not expected to play again this term.

Wenham insists Ashby couldn’t ask for a better teacher in Trippier.

“I have seen him in a couple of Under-23s games and he looks like a player of great prospect,” Wenham told Football Insider correspondent Ben Wild.

“Obviously nowhere near the levels of Anthony Gordon but that’s a £40million player compared to a £3million player.

“He is another, young, English, homegrown player and he will be hoping to develop even more at Newcastle United under the watchful eye of Kieran Trippier.

“You can’t really ask for a better teacher in terms of developing into an amazing right back. It’s a good move for him and Newcastle.”

Newcastle remain third in the Premier league table.

They are next in action against West Ham on Saturday (4 February).

In other news, a pundit has issued a ‘£100m’ Nick Pope transfer verdict as Newcastle United star hailed ‘best in the world’.