Luke who the Heed have on season’s loan

GATESHEAD have signed young Middlesbrough striker Luke Armstrong on a season-long loan.

Armstrong, son of former Blyth Spartans’ manager Alun, was a trainee at Birmingham City when Heed boss Steve Watson was a youth-team coach.

After a six-month trial at Gateshead as a teenager under Neil Aspin, Armstrong joined Blyth - where he gained promotion from the Evo-Stik premier division.

The tall line-leader scored 28 goals as Blyth won the title, a campaign which saw him rejoin the professional ranks with a two-year deal at Middlesbrough.

Armstrong (below) will make his Heed bow in Wednesday’s friendly at home to Morpeth Town and is keen to make an impression at his father’s hometown club.

He said: “It is a good move for me. I know the gaffer from my time at Birmingham and the Conference Premier is a strong league.

“I have had a year in the under23s at Middlesbrough and I am keen to get back into senior football. The target as always is to score 20 goals.

“Gateshead have had a tough few months but I don’t think we wil be near the bottom - I would back us to be in mid-table or better.”

Watson, hoping to add a big signing to what is a youthful squad, is delighted to have his first striker on board.

Armstrong had been linked with a loan move to Hartlepool and also had interest over the border, Falkirk and Dunfermline believed to be interested.

Watson said: “He has filled out since I had him at Birmingham and is a player who is game, aggressive and will run all day for you.

“He is not scared to mix it and is a great signing for us. He will not be the only striker we bring in, but it is a good starting point.

“His attitude is fantastic and he will only get better. I’m not just looking at at ability when I bring a player in, I am looking at character.”

Gateshead’s squad is now up to 13, Watson still looking to sign a couple of goalkeepers and strengthen in all departments.