In an exclusive interview with Football FanCast, Steve Howey, who made 150 appearances for Newcastle United, has revealed that he was calling out for the Magpies to sign Danny Ings under Steve McClaren.

In 2015, Liverpool bought Ings for what turned out to be a fee of £7 million after scoring 11 goals in the Premier League for Burnley, but the move did not end up being a good one for Ings as he scored four goals in 25 games following two serious injuries.

Despite his injury problems and lack of goals, Southampton bought the England international in 2019 for £20 million and he has found his best form once again, even earning himself a link to Manchester City.

Speaking on what he was telling Newcastle to do under McClaren and why the Magpies had to sign Ings, Howey told FFC:

"I think Newcastle were interested in Danny Ings a while ago and I think the fee was initially £10 million. Steve McClaren was the manager at the time and I said 'just buy him'.

"I know he's always had his injury problems but he is a goalscorer and he proved that last season."

Last season was the £75,000 per week striker's best of his career as he scored 22 goals in 38 Premier League games for the Saints, which saw him finish one goal behind Jamie Vardy as the league's top scorer.

It was reported by Sky Sports that Man City were considering Ings to be a replacement for Sergio Aguero who will be leaving at the end of the season.