Newcastle United are ticking along nicely in the Championship right now, and Rafa Benitez's men are more than on course to secure the Championship title at the end of the season.

If results continue, many are more than expecting the Magpies to go on an seal the title but with a tough run of fixtures on the horizon, its important that the focus continues right now until the end of May.

And with a decent squad at his disposal, Benitez has plenty of depth in his squad but there's one player who hasn't been getting as much credit as he perhaps deserves and one that is showing plenty of promise as he continues his development.

The man in question? Jamie Sterry - who spent time on-loan at Coventry City earlier this season and very much impressed, despite the Sky Blues struggling in the league.

And here at the Football League World, we think local-lad Sterry could be the next big player to emerge at St James' Park.

So with that in mind, here's THREE reasons why this Newcastle youngster could be the next big St James' hero...

His time at Coventry City was seriously promising

 

Coventry City's league one plight continues and whilst some continue to mourn the decline of the club, for Jamie Sterry, the move could prove to be the one that kickstarted his career with Newcastle.

He played 14 times during his time at the Ricoh Arena and impressed in at right-back during his time at the Midlands club, despite the non-stop struggles we've seen from them this season.

He was a big part of their run to Wembley and their supporters certainly seem grateful for his contribution, despite the fact he's now back at St James' Park.

Newcastle fans love a local lad

You've only got to look at the likes of Alan Shearer to know just how much the Newcastle United support love seeing a local lad progress into the first-team.

Sterry is as local as they come- having been born in Newcastle and working his way through the academy and finally into the first-team this season.

It's written in the stars that he goes on and has a good future in the first-team-at least that's what we're used to seeing from local stars in this neck of the woods.

His first-team opportunities look promising

Despite being just 21-years-old, Jamie Sterry's chances of getting into the first-team are looking more and more promising, especially after Vurnon Anita's injury.

Newcastle only DeAndre Yedlin in at right-back going forward and if anything happens to the American then expect Sterry to step in and really grab his opportunity in the first-team.