NEWCASTLE United defender Kyle Cameron is hoping his loan spell at York City helps him earn a professional contract at the St James' Park giants.

Cameron's apprenticeship with the Toon Army will come to an end this summer with a decision on his future at the Premier League strugglers due over the coming months.

The 18-year-old centre-back has been on the Magpies' books since the age of nine and, fresh from a stint with Evo-Stik League premier division side Workington, he knows stringing together strong performances with the Minstermen at Sky Bet League Two level could catch the eye of York-born former England manager Steve McClaren and his coaching team in the North East.

Cameron said: "I'm waiting to hear about a pro deal and, hopefully, this move can help me in that respect. I want to develop myself as a player and experience what it's like when three points are on the line, rather than just playing under-21 football.

"I also want to help the club climb the table and get out of this relegation battle."

Cameron scored and was named man of the match during his first game for Workington - a 2-1 midweek triumph at Marine.

He went on to play three more games, helping the Reds keep a clean sheet during a 1-0 win against Barwell and signing off with a 5-2 victory against Ashton United in his farewell outing on Saturday.

The former England U16 and U17 international now believes those matches will prove ideal preparation for his Football League baptism with a full debut in tomorrow's home game against Newport County the next possible challenge.

"I think that loan spell with Workington will stand me in good stead," Cameron reasoned. "It was a physical league and men's football, so it will benefit the club, rather than me coming here with just under-21 football under my belt."

Cameron admitted he was eager, meanwhile, to take up the opportunity to step up three levels when City boss Jackie McNamara sought assistance from Newcastle.

He revealed: "As my month at Workington was coming to an end, I spoke to Paul Simpson, one of the coaches at Newcastle, and he mentioned that York were looking for centre halves. He asked me if I'd be interested and I said ''yes, definitely'."

While switching clubs is a relatively new experience for Cameron, meanwhile, he is no stranger to changing international allegiance.

Having won Three Lions honours alongside the likes of Liverpool defender Joe Gomez, he made the decision to represent Scotland at U17 level.

Explaining that choice, he added: "I wasn't really getting called up into England squads as much as I wanted. I was then asked if I wanted to make the switch and I decided that was the right thing to do after speaking to certain people."