Armstrong’s loan spell with Tykes is over – but the question of where the young

NUFC Editor ADAM Armstrong is unlikely to be returning to Barnsley next season – according to Tykes boss Paul Heckingbottom.

Armstrong is ruled out of the finalday clash at St James’ Park due to the terms of his season-long loan from Newcastle, meaning a campaign earmarked as a potentially pivotal one for the 20-year-old striker is over.

Armstrong’s season will be extended by linking up with England’s under-age sides later in the summer and he is highly-rated in the national team’s set-up – but his first season of regular football in the second tier has been a mixed one.

The question of where his career goes next is a fascinating one, especially with Newcastle’s promotion to the Premier League meaning that the club will likely target another two strikers in the summer window.

Armstrong wanted a chance at St James’ Park last year, but even when United made a stuttering start in the Championship, Benitez did not believe he was ready to lead the line for Newcastle in the second tier and sent him out to Barnsley to get regular football.

In 21 starts he’s scored six times – enough for regulars at Barnsley to see his potential without actually believing he’s fulfilled it fully in South Yorkshire.

He’ll return for pre-season but will be made available for loan again. Bradford City, who pushed hard to try and sign him last summer, will be among many Football League clubs keen to take him, but Benitez will want to see more from him in his next loan spell. Barnsley would consider returning for him, but Heckingbottom thinks he will probably move elsewhere.

“We probably won’t be able to keep any of our loan players. You never know, but I would be surprised. If loan players perform well for us, other clubs become interested and we price ourselves out,” he said.

The 20-year-old has been used