Forgotten Newcastle United man returns from injury with January transfer expected

Newcastle United’s Garang Kuol, once regarded as one of the brightest young prospects in world football, is finding himself at a crossroads in his career. The 20-year-old Australian forward, who joined the Magpies with great expectations in 2022, has struggled to make an impact since his arrival, with his future at the club now uncertain.

Kuol was initially brought to Newcastle by former sporting director Dan Ashworth, who saw the talent in the young striker. Prior to his move to Tyneside, Kuol had impressed on the international stage, featuring for the Australian national team at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. His potential was clear, and the move to the Premier League was seen as a stepping stone for his development. However, since then, the journey has not gone according to plan.

Following his arrival at Newcastle, Kuol was immediately loaned out to Scottish club Hearts in January 2023, hoping that regular first-team football would aid his development. Unfortunately, his spell in Scotland was far from successful. He struggled to establish himself in the team, failing to make a significant impact in a competitive league. A subsequent loan to Dutch side FC Volendam for the 2023-24 season followed, but Kuol’s time in the Netherlands was similarly underwhelming, with the forward again failing to secure a regular starting spot.

With two unsuccessful loan spells behind him, Eddie Howe, Newcastle’s current manager, had hoped to send Kuol out on loan once more during the recent summer transfer window. However, a knee injury derailed those plans and kept the Australian sidelined for a period. This setback meant that any potential move away from Newcastle for Kuol had to be postponed. Despite the injury, Kuol has been working diligently on his fitness behind the scenes at the club, hoping to return to full health and make an impact in the coming months.

Kuol’s return to Newcastle has not seen him feature in any senior matches so far this season. Instead, he has spent time with the club’s under-21 squad, where he has been gradually regaining his match fitness. In a recent National League Cup match against Tamworth, Kuol played 68 minutes, helping the Magpies’ under-21 team secure a penalty win after a 1-1 draw. His appearance in this match came shortly after he had played 62 minutes in the EFL Trophy against Mansfield Town the previous month, marking his first competitive action since his knee injury.

Despite these appearances, Kuol has not been part of Eddie Howe’s senior squad for any Premier League or Premier League 2 matches this season. Currently, the under-21 side sits 11th in the table, and Kuol’s role in the team is still being assessed. His prospects for the future are still unclear, but a January move is expected if he remains fit and can prove his worth in the coming weeks.

The next few months could prove pivotal for Kuol’s career. He still has the potential to succeed, but much will depend on how he performs in the lower leagues and whether any clubs show interest in bringing him in on loan or making a permanent transfer. Eddie Howe has previously expressed the need for Kuol to find a successful loan move that would offer him regular game time, as this is crucial for his development.

“It’s always very difficult to say for certain what’s going to happen with a player at this stage because there’s a long way to go before the season starts,” Howe said over the summer. “But possibly another loan spell for him will be important. He’s had a couple of loan spells now, but I think he needs the next one to be a successful one. We need him to play more game time. Hopefully, that’ll happen.”

As Newcastle United continues its pursuit of both domestic and European success, the club’s management will be keeping a close eye on Kuol’s development. If he can demonstrate significant improvement and stay fit, he may still have a future at St James’ Park. However, with his career currently stagnating, the January transfer window will likely be a defining moment for Garang Kuol, as both he and the club assess the next steps for the talented forward.