Scott appreciates the opportunity

NEWCASTLE United have decided not to offer non-league hot shot Cedwyn Scott a professional contract.

The club’s Academy bosses told Hebburn Town striker Scott last week his age had counted against him despite making a “good impression”.

Scott caught the eye of Newcastle scouts after scoring an astonishing 14 goals in four games.

He started three games for United’s under-23s and was involved in the impressive comeback against Leeds - but Newcastle decided that given he turns 22 before Christmas, the timeframe for him to make the jump into the first team was too tricky.

Scott now hopes for a professional career elsewhere.

He said:“It was always a win-win going into Newcastle and having that opportunity.

“I was able to play with some very good players and that raised my standards at the same time.

“I went in there to impress so I knew I had to raise my standards to meet what was around me in training and in matches.

“I feel a better player for the experience and it gives me a good target to aim for.

“The feedback I had from the coaches was that I had made a good impression, they liked me, but that I would not be offered a deal because I am 22 next week.

“That would mean I would only have a year to break into the firstteam and that is unrealistic.

“That is just football, it was a good, honest chat and I really appreciated that.

“I don’t want to try and force things but I now have even more motivation to try and make that step. I have always wanted to be full-time in football, the environment at Newcastle made me want to be even better and that has made me even hungrier.”

Scott was impressed by Elliot Anderson, who made the bench for Newcastle on Friday and is being tipped to make his debut before the end of the year.

He added: “Elliot is a very good player and we worked well together during my trial.

“I would operate on the shoulder to move the defence around and it would give him space to get on the ball in dangerous positions.

“He is very good in tight spaces - he can beat a man easily and he retains the ball very well.

“I don’t see why he cannot step up to the first-team.

“There are no attributes he is missing to make that step into the Premier League environment. ”