EDDIE HOWE admits Garang Kuol is not yet ready for first-team football with Newcastle United – and is set to send the Australian youngster back out on loan in the first half of next season.

Kuol joined Newcastle amid much fanfare in January after representing Australia in last autumn’s World Cup finals in Qatar.

The 18-year-old was immediately sent on loan to Hearts, and has struggled to make much of an impact with the Scottish Premier League club, although he did score a dramatic late equaliser against Rangers earlier this week.

Kuol is due to return to Newcastle’s Darsley Park training complex for the start of pre-season training later this summer, and Howe will hold talks with him to discuss his future.

However, while he is excited at the youngster’s potential, the Newcastle boss has admitted he does not envisage him featuring in his first-team plans come August.

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“We’re really pleased he scored, and delighted for him,” said Howe. “It’s been a tough loan spell for him, but hopefully there’s some real positivity to take into the summer for him, off the back of that goal.

“I think it’s probably too early for him to be part of our first-team picture here next year. I think potentially another loan spell will do him good as he continues to develop to the pace of this league.”