Gilliead's Glee At New Contract

By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor

Alex Gilliead has set his sights on breaking into the Newcastle United first team after signing a new contract with his "boyhood Club."

The winger from Consett put pen to paper on a two-and-a-half year contract, with the option of another year, on Thursday.

He has been on loan with League Two Carlisle United this season, scoring three times for the Cumbrians, and is determined to help Keith Curle's side continue their promotion challenge this term.

But beyond that, he is looking to make an impact at St. James' Park under head coach Steve McClaren.

The England under-20 international told nufc.co.uk: "Now that it's sorted, I'm over the moon.

"Newcastle is my boyhood Club - I've always wanted to play for them and always will want to play for them, so as soon as I knew they wanted to offer me a new contract, I jumped at it.

"At the beginning of the season, my main target was to get another contract.

"I've gone to Carlisle and the coaches there - Keith Curle, Lee Dykes, Colin West and Simon Tracey - have all helped me loads; me and Macaulay (Gillesphey, who is also on loan at Carlisle from Newcastle). I think both of our games have improved a lot.

"I'm looking forward to next year. Hopefully I can break into the first team but if I've got to go out on loan again, I'm more than happy to do that."

He added: "I think (the loan move) has really helped me to get into this position.

"I've grown up a lot over the last few months at Carlisle. I think I've learnt a lot about football, the man's game, instead of just playing Academy and under-21s football.

"I'm just keeping on going with England as well. Obviously the next step would be the under-21s, which is a big step to make, but I just want to carry on playing football and hopefully doing well."

Gilliead's only taste of senior action for Newcastle came in a pre-season friendly at Sheffield Wednesday in the summer of 2014, while he was an unused substitute at Leicester in the FA Cup last season.

Asked what it would mean for him to make his competitive bow for the Magpies, he replied: "You can't really describe what it would mean to me, my family, everyone I know.

"But I just want to get it done and then push on."

Gilliead could get an opportunity to test himself against Premier League opposition this weekend, as Carlisle entertain Everton in the Emirates FA Cup fourth round on Sunday.

McClaren is likely to be in attendance, with the Toffees providing the opposition for Newcastle on Wednesday night in the Barclays Premier League, and Gilliead said: "I'm looking forward to it.

"It's good for the city after what happened, the devastation that happened (with flooding caused by Storm Desmond at the end of last year).

"It should be a good day for the whole city. We're all just looking forward to it. Hopefully we can do well - and I can impress as well.

"It's on television as well so there'll be a lot of people watching and in the cup, anything can happen."