This article is part of Football League World's 'The Verdict' series, which provides personal opinions from the FLW writers regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more...

New Newcastle United manager Steve Bruce is already looking to ring the changes at the Toon, with Preston North End defender Ben Davies one of a number of Bruce targets, according to a report in the Sun.

Bruce is a long-time admirer of Davies and now blessed with some transfer funds at St James' Park, is expected to push for the signature of the 23-year-old, who has previously spent loan spells at York City, Tranmere Rovers, Southport, Newport County and Fleetwood Town.

So would Davies prove a good signing for the Toon?

We discuss........

George Dagless

"Potentially.

"I do wonder whether Newcastle are going to try and raid the Championship a bit this summer as that is where Steve Bruce has been based for a large chunk of his recent managerial career.

"He'll know which players he likes from playing against them and will have an idea of which ones can step up to the Premier League.

"Davies is one of the more underrated players in the Championship and certainly deserves a shot at the top flight.

"Whether or not he'd play every week for Newcastle I have my doubts but he'd definitely be hungry enough to prove himself ready."

Gary Hutchinson

“This would be a super signing for Newcastle, without a doubt.

“He’s got Premier League experience and has proven himself to be a solid performer in the Championship as well. He’s an understated defender in my opinion, he doesn’t steal the headlines but he just gets on with his business.

“He’s proven he can play at the higher level and that’s only been underlined with his outings for Preston.

“Magpies’ fans might not be overly impressed with a Championship defender joining, but it would be a solid move.”

Toby Wilding

"I can see this being a good signing for Newcastle.

"Davies is a solid and versatile defender, and he has made an impressive transition into a first-team regular at Preston in the Championship over the past couple of years, suggesting that he has the adaptability required to cope with a step up in the level of competition he is at.

"At just 23-years-old, Davies is still only now approaching the peak of his career, so this feels like a good time for him to make the step up to the top flight, giving him the opportunity to continue his development in what is supposedly the biggest league in the world, where you feel he would be desperate to prove himself.

"Given the amount of discussion there has been about the willingness of Newcastle to spend big in recent years, you feel that this is a deal that the Toon would certainly be able to afford should they want to make it happen, although, with the greatest respect to Davies, it may not be the marquee signing the vast majority of the clubs fans will be hoping for."