Newcastle United legend Lee Clark has backed the club to sign Joe Willock from Arsenal.
Nobody could have predicted the impact Willock would have on Newcastle when he joined on a short-term loan deal in January.
The attacking midfielder, starved of opportunities in north London, showcased his immense ability by scoring seven goals in seven straight Premier League appearances to end the season.
Indeed, it was Willock's spark from midfield which solidified Newcastle's chances of surviving relegation.
Willock was loving life in the black and white
The Magpies won five of their last eight matches to comfortably seal their status for another season of Premier League football.
Willock, 21, has since returned to Arsenal and has participated in preseason training, making an appearance in the draw with Rangers last weekend.
Former Toon midfielder Clark admits he would find it strange if Arsenal parted with Willock, but hopes they do for the sake of his boyhood club.
"It would be an unbelievable lift for the whole city and the club if they could get Joe Willock to return," Clark wrote in his column for TribalFootball.com.
"Willock was an outstanding addition last season. Most Newcastle fans will have their fingers crossed, praying that the deal could become permanent.
"For a midfield player to score seven goals in his last seven leagues was remarkable. It would be great for a striker to get that return but for an attacking midfielder it was unbelievable, and by all accounts he's a terrific lad around the place.
"I wouldn't have thought Arsenal would loan him out again after what he did last season. If they were going to let him go, which I would think would be a strange decision anyway, but if they were, they would be looking for a hefty transfer fee wherever he went."
Speaking after Willock missed the clash with Hibernian last week, Gunners boss Mikel Arteta insisted the Englishman was part of his plans.
Willock celebrates against Dundalk
He said: "Joe is part of our plans, he's our player and in the time that he is here we will try to make the most out of him.
"He had a great experience on loan. He was, I think one of the most important players for their survival."
Toon boss Steve Bruce understands the situation but insists the Tyneside club are not giving up hope.
"As I've said, it's really Arsenal's decision, and until Arsenal make a decision – a bit like all the big clubs, they have a look over pre-season – we'll keep monitoring and badgering away," he said, via NUFC Blog.
" We'd love to do something but it's still Arsenal's call."