NEEDHAM Market striker Sam Newson’s three-month loan move to Lowestoft Town appears to suit all parties.

News that Needham Market were happy to sanction such a move came as a surprise to many non-league followers.

However, Newson has so far this season struggled to replicate his form of the previous two campaigns for the Ryman League Division One North club.

The 24-year-old has netted 12 times, compared to the 29 he had bagged by this stage of the season a year ago.

Lowestoft, not surprisingly, were reluctant to permanently sign a player who has not previously played, and therefore proved himself, at Ryman Premier level.

Craig Fleming, the club’s director of football, said: “Sam is a proven goalscorer and it will be the highest level he’s played at, but the loan move allows us to have a look at him and for him to have a look at us and our set-up.”

Newson, who is relishing the new challenge, will be keen to prove his worth on a bigger stage with the Trawlerboys during his three-month spell, which will end on March 2 next year.

He made his Lowestoft debut when coming on as a substitute for the final 15 minutes, in the 1-1 draw at Cray Wanderers on Wednesday night.

The move ironically came almost a year to the day that Newson was due to spend four days on trial at League Two Gillingham, before he sustained a knee injury that ruled him out for six weeks.

Needham Market chairman David Bugg explained the club’s decision to loan out Newson, who is in the final year of his contract.

“Because Gillingham came in for Sam, and at the time we wanted to keep him, he is a big wage earner. We have got a good deal from Lowestoft over the three-month period.

“They are paying his wages plus a fee for him each month.

“If they decide not to buy Sam then he will be welcomed back for the final two months of the season.

“Hopefully we will be pushing for a play-off spot by then and it may be a bonus to have Sam back.”

Bugg said that manager Danny Laws was keen to push on some of the club’s academy players.

“Our academy, run by Kevin Horlock, is producing some really good young players, and Danny has decided to give one or two the chance to blossom in the first team.

“Kevin is a great coach and we are now starting to attract some of the best young players in the area,” added Bugg.