Loan frustrations continue for NUFC youngster after 136 minutes of football from a possible 450
After a disastrous loan spell with Blackpool earlier in the year, Elias Sorensen will be hoping for a far more productive stint with Carlisle - but it's not started how he would have hoped.
The Danish striker scored over 20 goals in all competitions last season, impressing in our U-23 set up and finding the net 3 times in 3 games at international level, yet he was given just 30 minutes of football during his 7-week loan spell with League One side Blackpool before being recalled by the club in March.
It was a real setback for one of our most promising young talents, meaning his next loan move this summer - which our new 'loan manager' Shola Ameobi was tasked to sort - felt crucial to his confidence and development at senior level.
He completed a move Carlisle in August, with many expecting him to gain regular game after a drop down to League Two, however he's started just one of five games so far - and was subbed off at half-time in that solitary start at Scunthorpe.
Here's his game time so far, with him playing just 136 minutes out of a possible 450:
- Mansfield (H) - Played 34 minutes from the bench
- Cheltenham (A) - Unused substitute
- Salford (H) - Played 31 minutes from the bench
- Rochdale (A) - Played 26 minutes from the bench (Carabao Cup)
- Scunthorpe (A) - Started. Played 45 minutes & subbed off at half time
It may take time for him to settle in, but him being an unused substitute, failing to start in their Carabao Cup clash with Rochdale and being hauled off at half-time during his one and only start so far may not sit too well with those tracking his progress at Newcastle United.
Many believed he was good enough to test himself in League One - and you can see why when you look at his form at U-23 and international level - yet he's dropped down to League Two in a bid to gain regular starts and still isn't getting them.
Hopefully things improve for him and he becomes a regular fixture in Steven Pressley's side, or our 'loan manager' Shola Ameobi may need to have a word.
