Aarons to face barren playing spell

NEWCASTLE United winger Rolando Aarons remains in limbo after a potential move to Bulgaria failed to materialise.

The 22-year-old is ineligible to play for the Magpies until January at the earliest after Rafa Benitez opted against handing him a number for the campaign, while Aarons was not named in United’s 25-man Premier League squad either.

In fact, Aarons has yet to be listed in the Magpies’ Under-21 squad, meaning his opportunities to play between now and January appear extremely limited.

Benitez told Aarons and his representatives before pre-season started that the winger needed to find a loan move this season.

However, despite interest being shown by Rangers, at least three French clubs and a host of EFL sides, last month’s deadline came and went without Aarons departing Tyneside.

A late offer from an unnamed Bulgarian First Professional Football League club to take Aarons until January did arrive on Tuesday, leading to Aarons being withdrawn from the squad for United’s Under-21 Checkatrade Trophy victory at Doncaster Rovers just minutes before kick-off, but Bulgaria’s transfer window closed on Thursday night with the winger still a Magpie.

Following a disappointing loan spell at Hellas Verona during the first half of 2018, another temporary move seemed to be exactly what Aarons needed in order to relaunch a promising career which has been beset by injuries and off-field issues in recent years.

There could still be an opportunity for Aarons to leave before January – the windows in the Czech Republic and Portugal, for example, remain open for a little longer, while the former England youth international could even move further afield to a club outside of Europe if an offer arrives – but it is looking increasingly likely that the winger could spend the next few months training at the club’s Academy.

Magpies manager Benitez is keen to only work with the players who are available for his Premier League squad, and then draft in youngsters to cover in training when necessary, meaning Aarons will not even regularly take part in first-team sessions.

Benitez is hopeful, however, that potential suitors will recognise Aarons’ potential.