EDDIE HOWE has admitted he wants Garang Kuol to gain experience of “British football”, with the Newcastle United newcomer having been heavily linked with a possible loan move to Hearts.

Kuol completed his switch from Australian side Central Coast Mariners this week, having represented Australia in the recent World Cup finals in Qatar.

It has always been Newcastle’s intention to loan out the 18-year-old for the second half of the season, although it was initially suggested that Kuol would be likely to head to continental Europe.

Instead, Howe is keen for the teenager to gain experience of British football, with Kuol having travelled to Edinburgh earlier this week to hold discussions with senior figures at Hearts.

“I’ve just bumped into him in the corridor this morning and we had a nice little chat,” said the Magpies head coach, ahead of tomorrow’s FA Cup third-round game at Sheffield Wednesday. “He’s good, I saw him before the Arsenal game when he came to watch the team and again, we had a little chat before the match.

“Our plan is still to loan him out. We’re identifying clubs and trying to find the right club for home, somewhere where we feel he will play and be given an opportunity to develop his game.

“He’s got a great attitude, a real smile that hits you when you meet him. He’s a really bright lad. Hopefully he’ll get a good loan.

“Players go on loan for lots of different reasons and his would be to gain experience, to learn a lot about British football.”

Kuol was regarded as one of the most promising players in Australia’s A-League prior to moving to England, with his World Cup participation providing further proof of the high esteem in which he is held within his homeland.

Howe does not think he is ready to make an immediate step into Newcastle’s first-team group, but is extremely excited about where his career might take him in the future.

“We really like him, and we want him to find a home where coaches will develop him and improve him,” he added. “He’s still young, so naturally he’s got areas of his game that need work. But that experience, hopefully, will be a benefit for us and the long term.”