It's hard to be believe it's only 18 months since Evan Ferguson rattled in a hat-trick against Newcastle United on a day to forget at Brighton. It's even harder to believe that he was on my Fantasy Football bench.

Few would have thought on that August day on the south coast that the Republic of Ireland striker would score just three more Premier League goals in the followng year and a half. It appeared the 20-year-old had the footballing world at his feet after bursting on to the scene with the Seagulls.

His treble against United had everyone talking, with even Newcastle goalscoring legend Alan Shearer fulsome in his praise for the forward. "What do I love about him? Everything," he told the Athletic back in August 2023. “I can’t say I relished his destruction of Newcastle United, my team, the other weekend, except in terms of centre-forward artistry as Ferguson plundered and pestered his way to becoming only the fourth 18-year-old to score a hat-trick in the Premier League era.

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“Left foot, right foot, headers, pace, aggression, intuition; there is no obvious weakness to his game, which is only going to get better and better. He has the lot.”

He was not alone in his glowing verdict of the striker, and it was hardly any wonder. He had scored 11 goals in his breakthrough season for Brighton while still just 18, and added two for Ireland in the process, with huge things expected.

So what does the future hold? Injuries, a drop in form and a change in manager have meant he could well be heading for the exit door at the Amex . . . and Newcastle United should be first in the queue.

It's surely a no-lose situation for the Magpies. United are desperate for cover for Alexander Isak but don't have the spending power to invest in proven talent in the January window. Finding someone who will play second fiddle to the Swede - but is good enough to step in - is a challenge.

In Ferguson, United would have a proven Premier League player who could come off the bench to potentially change games - something they severely lack right now. And if it doesn't work? Well they're no worse off than where they are now. Newcastle can't rely on Callum Wilson being injury-free nor can they hope Will Osula will suddenly become a Premier League player. One injury to Isak and their big ambitions could go up in smoke.

It would be a gamble, of course, but something of a low risk one, and with PSR and FFP restrictions limiting what Newcastle can do in the January window, it feels like a chance they should seize.