According to reports in the Newcastle Chronicle, Newcastle United striker Siem de Jong wants one last chance to impress for the Magpies this summer.

The 28-year-old attacker moved to St James’ Park from Ajax in 2014 for a fee in the region of £6m, signing a mammoth six-year deal.

However, things haven’t gone to plan for the Netherlands international on Tyneside, and a number of injury problems and freak accidents have meant that he has made just 26 appearances in all competitions for the newly-promoted Premier League side in the last three years, scoring two goals.

He spent last season on loan at Dutch side PSV Eindhoven, and showed signs that he could be getting back to the form that could see him make an impact for the Toon Army in the English top flight next term.

Rafa Benitez will certainly be keen to take a closer look at the 28-year-old during pre-season as he continues to build his squad for their return to the Premier League.

Here are three reasons Newcastle must give De Jong one last chance to impress…

Goalscoring record

While he has struggled to find the net during his time with Newcastle, there is no doubt that from other spells during his career that De Jong has the ability to find the net on a regular basis.

The 28-year-old scored 57 goals in 168 Eredivisie appearances for Ajax – and six in 19 for PSV last term – and if he can recapture that form he would be able to take some of the pressure off of the shoulders of last season’s top marksman Dwight Gayle next term.

He has been unfortunate

Even though a thigh injury ruled him out for considerable time at the start of his Newcastle career, the problems he has suffered since have been unfortunate to say the least.

The forward was sidelined for two months with a collapsed lung towards the end of the 2014/15 campaign, while his eyesight was threatened in January 2016 when one of his contact lenses was pushed into his eye.

Following such a strange set of events, it would only be fair to give De Jong one last chance to showcase his ability during pre-season.

He could be like a new signing

Magpies manager Rafa Benitez is keen to significantly strengthen his squad to ensure that they aren’t involved in a relegation battle in the Premier League next season, but in De Jong he could have a forward that has recpatured his best form and is ready to make an impact in the top flight.

If the Netherlands international proves his goalscoring ability during pre-season, it could mean that his Spanish boss has less of a need to dip into the transfer market to bring a new striker to the club this summer.

Do you agree, Magpies fans? Let us know below.