In Focus: Magpies signing Ashby will learn under Trippier's wing

Newcastle had a relatively quiet transfer deadline day, with Harrison Ashby proving to be their sole purchase. 

The Magpies paid West Ham a reported £3million to sign the right-back, two days after completing a £45m deal to bring in Anthony Gordon from Everton. 

Eddie Howe's outfit had long been linked with a move for the Hammers' academy product, who only had six months remaining on his contract with the East Londoners. 

As Ashby's new employers now prepare to host his former club, we have taken a look at his chances of success at St James' Park.

Ashby could well find himself on the bench when Newcastle welcome the Irons to the North East.

Ahead of the game, Howe revealed that Javier Manquillo was injured, joining fellow right-back Emil Krafth on the sidelines. 

That would seem to leave Ashby as the sole cover for Kieran Trippier and Howe seems confident enough in the 21-year-old’s ability to potentially name him as a substitute. 

When quizzed on Ashby, Howe said: "We think he's a player that has huge potential. Naturally, he needs time here to progress and develop. 

"He's got the ideal mentor in Kieran who will help him. We wanted to bring in more strength on that side of the pitch."

With Manquillo only having played three times for Newcastle this season and Krafth appearing just twice, the opportunity would seem to be there for Ashby to become Trippier’s back-up.

As Howe mentioned, just being able to train alongside and learn from the England international will surely be good for the youngster’s development. 

Long-term, Trippier is an imposing player for Ashby to ultimately be picked ahead of. Yet though he is still at the top of his game, the former Tottenham and Atletico Madrid man is now 32.

Despite moving from a club that are fighting against relegation to one at the other end of the table, it is possible that Ashby has increased his chances of playing first-team football. 

West Ham have Vladimir Coufal, Ben Johnson and Thilo Kehrer as options at right-back, leaving the talented prospect with few chances to impress. 

Ashby is the latest youngster to have left West Ham, after Sonny Perkins joined Leeds last summer. 

There has been something of an exodus of youth players from the Hammers during the reign of David Moyes, perhaps due to a lack of first-team opportunities. 

Moyes said of Ashby’s transfer: "It was the boy’s decision. He didn’t want to stay and he only had six months left on his contract. 

"We had an offer from Newcastle in the summer and he wanted to go then, but we chose not to in the hope we could get him to stay. But he’d made his mind up."

Ashby's West Ham debut came in September 2020, just weeks after signing his first professional contract. Across three seasons at the club, he only made seven appearances, however.

After joining Newcastle, the new signing spoke to the club’s TV channel, describing his playing style and ambitions for the future. 

Ashby said: "I like to get up and down, put crosses in and I like a long shot. 

"Quite similar to Trips, which is, for me, a big attraction because he is one of the best right-backs in the league, if not in Europe. 

"Obviously we have got similar styles of play, so it is a big thing for me and my progression to be as good, if not better."

If Ashby’s ambition to one day be better than Trippier is ever fulfilled, then Newcastle will have got themselves a real bargain.