He’s no Cabaye, but this midfielder would aid Newcastle

There is no debating that Newcastle were hit hard by the departure of Yohan Cabaye in January to PSG.

Having won virtually 60 per cent of their games when the French midfielder was available this season, this figure dropped to 28 per cent without him, which includes taking only 13 points from their final 16 Premier League games.

The Toon haven’t paid money for a first-team player since the signing of Vurnon Anita from Ajax in the summer of 2012 and it’s pretty clear that Mike Ashley will have to get his chequebook out if Newcastle are to emerge again as serious top-four challengers.

And one name they may be well served to consider if getting back to winning ways is Rasmus Lindgren, a widely unknown midfielder plying his trade at Dutch side Groningen.

Groningen finished seventh for the second successive season in Holland, but there is a statistical possibility that they could have been challenging PSV for fourth if they had the Swede available all season.

The club won 14 of their Eredivisie games this season, with Lindgren playing a part in them all.

However, of their 34 games overall, Lindgren only featured in 23, meaning they failed to win any of the 11 fixtures in which he was absent, which was mainly a two-month stint between late October and Christmas.

Alongside players of a defined quality, Newcastle also require some of those that are unspectacular but have that extra will to win, which appears something that the 29-year-old could bring to the table.

If repeating his 62 per cent win rate from Holland this season in the Premier League in the next campaign, this would equate to 23 victories, which would have been enough for sixth spot this season without any draws being added to the total.

The latest speculation is that Alan Pardew will not only be remaining in charge next season, but that he will be given £60m to strengthen his squad.

Lindgren would only take up a small percentage of this, with a large proportion sure to go on a striker, although Loic Remy is reportedly reluctant to make his loan deal from QPR permanent.

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