"New Andy Carroll" One Of Two Trialists To Play For Newcastle This Week

Newcastle United watched over two trialists during a development match against Corby Town - including a player dubbed the "next Andy Carroll". Callum Douglas (pictured above) has been scoring goals left, right and centre in the Alicante district leagues - including more than 45 during the 2014-15 campaign - and Newcastle have taken the Geordie-born forward on trial. A 6ft 3in striker, Douglas is being scouted by the Magpies, their bitter rivals Sunderland, Valencia and also Elche.

In addition to Douglas, Magpies coach Dave Watson also gave 17-year-old Ajax midfielder Dani Koks (pictured above) a run out as the Dutchman looks to secure a Newcastle deal. Unfortunately, despite Newcastle taking a 2-0 lead via strikes from Mackenzie Heaney and Jamie Holmes, Corby responded to claim a 3-2 victory over the Magpies at their Benton training base on Tuesday. With Newcastle determined to ensure they field local talent in the future - even if those players have been nurtured elsewhere - they are scouring the length and breadth of Europe for promising Geordies. Douglas is the latest to prick their interest, with the forward having moved to Spain in 2006 due to his father€™s work commitments. But now he has been offered the chance to return to Tyneside for a trial this summer and, being a lifelong Magpies supporter, he has jumped at the chance. A former captain at Wallsend Boys€™ Club before moving to Iberia, Douglas switched from centre-back to centre-forward once he landed in sunny Spain in 2006. That positional change proved a masterstroke - with Douglas scoring 288 goals as a striker over the next six seasons for La Nucia. In 2012-13 he was pushed back into midfield, and netted 12 goals, while he was played in a variety of positions the following campaign after moving to Alfaz Del Pi, scoring 25 goals. He has continued to develop and has been compared to former Magpies striker Carroll due to his build and ability to find the back of the net. For all the latest NUFC News, Views and Transfers make sure to follow whatculture.com/NUFC on Twitter and Facebook.