Forgotten Newcastle signing impresses on his return but still faces uncertain future

Rodrigo Vilca faces an uncertain future with Newcastle United but has impressed upon his return to the academy setup. The Peruvian playmaker is back on Tyneside following disappointing loan spells with Doncaster Rovers and most recently Universitario in his home country.

Vilca signed for the Magpies on deadline day in October 2020 for a sum of £225,000 but has not made a senior appearance in black-and-white. The attacking midfielder celebrated his 24th birthday on Sunday but has started the last three league fixtures for the under-21s side.

Vilca netted in a behind-closed-doors contest with Brentford B last month and scored again in the heavy home defeat to West Brom. Newcastle U21s boss Ben Dawson admits the returning loanee is in a ‘difficult position’, but has praised his application and performances since returning.

He told ChronicleLive: “Like the lads who are going to be out of contract, it’s a difficult position to be in. He’s obviously a little bit older, so I think he understands that. But he also understands the importance of maxing out in training and applying it to the games.

“I think his performances have been very good for us and it’s just about getting him in the best place possible for whatever comes next.”