Even if Newcastle are not active in the January transfer market, we’ll still have one new player in the ranks, as Dan Gosling returns from his long-term knee injury.

Dan Gosling – back to first team training in two weeks

Newcastle’s signing of Gosling from Everton was a tremendous summer coup, with lots of other clubs pursuing the 20 year-old, and it shows that Newcastle can still attract good players to Tyneside, if they want to play their football in a football fanatic city like Newcastle.

Who wouldn’t? 😀

Chris Hughton had some good news on Dan this morning:

“Dan will be training in two weeks’ time.” “Will he be back for January? Possibly.” “He has been out for a very long time.”

“The injury happened nine months ago, so you are talking about a very long-term injury.”

“Will he be ready – we will have to assess it. There are always some surprises.” “He may come through the training, look great and be a little bit ahead of time.”

“However, we also have to listen to the appropriate people – and if the specialists are telling us one thing we will not go against their advice.”

One of the good things about Chris Hughton is that he’s always conservative on injuries, and that has probably been part of the reason why Newcastle have not had their usual flurry of injuries over the last couple of seasons.

Dan has been in training for the last few weeks with the development squad, as he gets up to some level of fitness before joining the first team squad, and everything has seemed to go well, so far.

Gosling plays in central midfield and so will join the battle for places in the middle of the park when he is fully fit, along with Kevin Nolan, Cheick Tiote, Alan Smith, Danny Guthrie and Joey Barton.

Chris Hughton knew Dan way before he signed him for Newcastle, and the manager already seems a big fan of the 20 year-old, as he continued:

“I knew him as a player before he joined us here.” “He is a very talented player, so I am looking forward to having him available.”

“At that stage of the season it is like bringing in a new player. We have talked about not bringing anyone in when January comes around.”

“Well we already have a new signing in the shape of Dan.”

Dan played 24 times for his home town club Plymouth Argyle with two goals, before joining Everton in 2007, when he was 17.

He played 37 times with 6 goals for the Goodison Park club, and has represented England at U17, U18 and U19, and currently has two caps at the U21 level.

It will be great to see Dan in a black and white shirt – soon.

Comments always welcome.