Notts County are hoping to retain Rory Finneran for the remainder of the season as the Newcastle United loanee continues to impress at Meadow Lane. The 18-year-old midfielder has quickly become a key figure for the Magpies in their first League One campaign since promotion.

Martin Paterson, the Notts County manager, is optimistic about his team's prospects. "We can be hopeful his side will have a respectable first campaign in the third tier," Paterson said. He added that he "will be hoping he can keep Finneran for the remainder of the season." The club is understood to be uncertain whether Newcastle have a recall option for January.

Player background

Finneran arrived on a season-long loan this summer as part of a broader recruitment drive. He came through Blackburn Rovers' academy before signing for Newcastle United in August 2024, with this spell at Meadow Lane marking his first experience of senior football. His raw talent has been evident from the outset.

Broader recruitment strategy

His signing follows a successful pattern for Notts County, who used the loan market effectively to win promotion from League Two last term. Finneran joins fellow summer loan arrivals Ishe Samuels-Smith, Daniel Kanu, Hindolo Mustapha and Oliver Cooper, who brings additional midfield experience. Last season's temporary signings, including Tom Iorpenda, Tyrese Hall and Jayden Luker, were key to that success.

Current performance

Finneran has already emerged as one of the team's top performers during a difficult start. He scored a late consolation in the 1-2 home defeat to Oxford United on 10 October, a result that left Notts County 22nd in the table with seven points from eight games. The team's form reads one win, one draw and three defeats from their last five matches, a sequence you can review on our standings page.

Paterson's side face a trip to 15th-placed Wycombe Wanderers this Saturday, 17 October, as they look to climb away from the relegation zone. The manager's hope to keep Finneran beyond the winter window shows the teenager's immediate importance to the survival bid.

First reported at The72 - Football League News