Bolton Wanderers want to extend the loan of Sammy Ameobi when the transfer window reopens.
The Newcastle United Academy product knows there is little prospect of returning to St James’ Park in 2017 after the club told him he could leave last August.
Ameobi’s current deal runs out at the end of the season but he has been in fine form for the Trotters in recent weeks.
The 24-year-old has scored two scorching goals of late against Sheffield United in the FA Cup and then Gillingham in front of the Sky Sports cameras during the rout of Gillingham.
When asked by the Bolton News whether Wanderers had started talks with Newcastle, Phil Parkinson said: “Sammy has been immense for us and he’s developing as a player.
“The team is evolving and so is he.
“We are pleased with him, he’s enjoying it here, obviously, we’d like to keep him.
“He needed to play in a run of games because that is how you learn things.
“You start to understand things within games - like handling a bad start, or after you’ve scored a goal and you feel great but making sure you keep your focus.
“There are little parts of your game that you only improve with experience and he’s doing that now.
“He’s had a few blips along the way where he hasn’t played so well but he’s getting better.
“He’s a likeable lad and we’re enjoying working with him.”