Loan pair are happy to stay until summer

GATESHEAD are hoping to extend the loan deals of teenage attacking pair Josh Kayode and Dom Tear.

Kayode came in from Rotherham United on a half-season loan and has been the Heed’s line leader.

The 19-year-old goes into Saturday’s FA Cup tie at home to Colne as joint-top scorer with five goals.

Gateshead player-manager Mike Williamson has been delighted with the Miller man’s contribution, so much so that he would like to keep the Lagos-born forward on Tyneside for the rest of the season.

Williamson said: “For sure we’d like to keep Kayode beyond January – he has been fantastic.

“His athleticism, energy and the way he leads the line has been excellent.

“I’d like to think Rotherham can see the benefit of him getting valuable experience at Gateshead.

“It’s early days as he is with us until the end of the year, but we’ll certainly be looking to extend his loan period.”

For his part, Kayode is enjoying his first experience of regular first-team and FA Cup football.

Kayode said: “The gaffer’s great, the system is great, as are the fans, and I’m enjoying scoring goals now.

“But it’s up to my parent club whether they want me to stay at Gateshead longer. I’m happy to stay and play the full season at Gateshead, so if Rotherham want me to do that, I will.”

Wide man Tear, also 19, had to wait until the final Saturday of his initial one-month loan spell to get his first Heed start.

Since then, the Huddersfield Town wide man has been a regular for Gateshead after his loan was extended for another month.

Williamson said: “Like Kayode, Tear has done very well. He had to bide his time but has seized his opportunity.

“He’s a great kid whose attitude is spot on and we’ll be talking to Huddersfield about a further extension.”

Tear is hoping he can remain in the North East to continue his football education.

“I came to Gateshead looking to impress, score goals and get as many points on the table as possible,” he said.

“The aim is to progress on that and get either a season or halfseason loan as I’m really enjoying my football.”

Both are expected to be in the Heed side on Saturday with £18,750 and a place in the first round at stake