BIRKENHEAD, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 20, 2017: Liverpool's Danny Ings during the Under-23 FA Premier League 2 Division 1 match between Liverpool and Sunderland at Prenton Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Newcastle United interested in January deal for Danny Ings

Rafa Benitez is said to be eager to sign Liverpool striker Danny Ings on loan for Newcastle United in January, after the 25-year-old’s return to fitness.

Ings has endured a miserable spell since joining the Reds in 2015, spending the majority of the past two years sidelined with a series of knee injuries.

He has worked his way back to fitness, but has so far struggled to break into Jurgen Klopp‘s first-team setup, making just four appearances under the German, totalling 92 minutes.

Instead, Ings has been turning out for the Liverpool U23s, and scored four goals in Sunday’s 7-0 win at home to Bristol City in the Premier League Cup.

At 25, he should be targeting regular senior football, however, and while he has outlined his ambitions to stay with the Reds, his opportunities will be limited.

And according to the Newcastle Chronicle, Benitez is looking to secure a temporary deal to bring Ings to St James’ Park in the upcoming transfer window.

Newcastle are currently seeking new ownership, with Mike Ashley actively searching for a buyer, and as a result, Benitez’s scouting is restricted to “the constraints of a budget.”

A loan move for Ings could be the ideal solution, providing the player with the minutes he requires and the club a proven Premier League goalscorer.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 29, 2015: Liverpool's Danny Ings in action against West Ham United during the Premier League match at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Ings netted three times in nine games for the Reds before rupturing his ACL in 2015, and before that scored 11 in 35 outings in his only campaign in the English top flight with Burnley.

Newcastle currently have Dwight Gayle, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Joselu as options up front, but they have so far mustered just four goals between them.

Benitez has led them to 11th in the table heading into the November international break, however, largely due to their stoic defensive efforts, conceding 10 goals in 11 games.

The addition of another finisher could propel the Magpies into the top half by the end of the season, and Ings is a sensible target for the Spaniard.

The No. 28 could be one of a host of players to leave Liverpool on loan in January, including Jon Flanagan, Ovie Ejaria and Harry Wilson.

Their chances of first-team football may have been boosted had the Reds not been knocked out of the League Cup by Leicester City in September, but now their hopes are slim.

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