A TYNEDALE youngster has extended his stay with National League side Gateshead to help him progress as a professional.

George Honeyman (21), who started out playing as a junior for Prudhoe YC, will be at the Heed until January having impressed during his current month-long loan from Premier League side Sunderland.

The midfield man, who has made one appearance from the bench for the Black Cats’ first team, is highly rated at the Stadium of Light side but suffered a setback in pre-season when he suffered a stress fracture in his back.

He was laid low for three months and jumped at the chance for first team football at Gateshead when former Sunderland boss Malcolm Crosby came calling.

Honeyman has made three appearances for the National League outfit, and claimed the winner in a 3-2 victory over Boreham Wood.

Prior to the contract extension, Honeyman told the Gateshead FC website: “I didn’t know what to expect with the standard. But it’s full of good players and it’s not easy to stand out but I felt I’ve held my own pretty well. The standard is better than I thought.

“Everyone that I have met in connection with Gateshead has been top-class. They’re all just lovely people and it feels like a real family club.”

Gateshead manager Crosby has sung Honeyman’s praises and is delighted to have him at the International Stadium for another month. He said: “He’s a great lad and works really hard in training. He’s got a lovely attitude and has mixed in with the players straight away.”