Harrison Ashby could be best served seeking a loan move this summer due to his difficult start to life at Newcastle United. That is the view of Magpies legend Warren Barton, who has urged the right-back earmarked as Kieran Trippier's potential 'successor' to stay patient.
Newcastle revisited their summer interest in Ashby and landed the West Ham prospect on deadline day in a £3 million move. The 21-year-old was unveiled alongside fellow January recruit Anthony Gordon at St James' Park at half-time of the Magpies' Carabao Cup semi-final second leg victory over Southampton.
However, Ashby is yet to make his senior debut for Newcastle, with the full-back suffering a hamstring injury shortly after his arrival, while the Magpies have also been linked with a move for Southampton full-back Tino Livramento. The defender made two appearances for the under-21s following his recovery, and was an unused first-team substitute for the final two Premier League fixtures as Eddie Howe's side booked their place in the Champions League.
Trippier is Newcastle's undisputed starter on the right side of defence, with competition for the backup role currently provided by Emil Krafth and Javier Manquillo. Former Magpies full-back Barton believes Ashby's first-team prospects will hinge upon whether either of these rotation opens stay or go, and reckons the Scotland youth international might benefit most from a short stint away.
READ MORE: Anthony Gordon swerves 'waste of money' fear but told to deliver for Newcastle or risk exit
The Fox Sports pundit told ChronicleLive: "Be patient, which is hard for a young player. It may be one of them where he has to go on loan for a season, maybe in the Premier League or the Championship just to get a good run of games under his belt. There's also a couple of players in that position who may be ahead of him, and it depends if they leave.
"Trippier is a hell of a benchmark. It's like Sir Bobby Robson with me and Aaron Hughes, Bobby had me to lead the way and when Aaron was ready, Bobby let me go when I was 33. Trippier is a supreme athlete, but they will be grooming this kid to be his successor.
"It depends upon him, what's his attitude like in training, how ambitious is he? It can be difficult coming from West Ham where you're comfortable, and you come up to a club where you're playing for the U21s.
"It can be a challenge. It might be one of those where for six months, you earn your stripes and get games and experience under your belt."
