By Danny Mills

8th Jun, 2022 | 4:13pm

Mills issues emphatic Dan Ashworth claim as first Newcastle United signing lined up - 'I know him well'

Dan Ashworth is a “very good football operator” and will be a success in his new role as the sporting director of Newcastle United, according to Danny Mills.

Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, the ex-Leeds United and England defender delivered his verdict after Ashworth was finally officially unveiled by Newcastle after a drawn-out recruitment process.

They confirmed on Monday (6 June) that the 51-year-old had begun his work at St. James’ Park after completing a move from Brighton & Hove Albion.

In his first interview on the Newcastle’s YouTube channel on Tuesday (7 June) he described the Magpies as a “monster club”.

He has already been busy with Matt Targett set to become the first signing of the Ashworth-era at St. James’ Park.

Sky Sports reported on Wednesday (8 June) that the left-back has completed a medical ahead of a permanent move from Aston Villa after spending the latter part of the 2021-22 season on loan at Newcastle.

“He’s a very good football operator,” Mills told Football Insider correspondent Connor Whitley.

“I know him reasonably well through his time at West Brom, obviously England and on to Brighton.

“He’s very, very good at what he does. He’s like the Clive Woodward of football if you like. He puts people in the right places, he builds the team very, very well and makes sure everyone is accountable for what they are doing.

“I think he’ll get the right people in. It will take him a little bit of time, of course it will.

“From his point of view, it’s an exciting project. Newcastle have got themselves a very good football operator in.”

In other news, Newcastle United have pulled the plug on a marquee forward deal.