Daryl Horgan's growing reputation has captured the attention of Rafael Benitez, with the Newcastle manager recently ordering scouts to keep tabs on the Dundalk winger.

The PFAI Player of the Year was included in the Republic of Ireland provisional squad for next week’s World Cup qualifier against Austria and has also been on the Spaniard’s radar.

Newcastle scouts were in Tallaght Stadium for Dundalk’s Europa League clash against Zenit St Petersburg last month and Horgan further enhanced his standing with a sublime solo goal in Russia on Thursday.

Dundalk's Daryl Horgan has been attracting the attention of Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez

Horgan scored a superb solo goal away at Zenit Saint Petersburg on Thursday evening

Ahead of tomorrow’s Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup final with Cork City, it can also be confirmed that Manchester City sent scouts to compile a dossier on the 24-year-old for their sister club Melbourne City.

Horgan is contracted at Oriel Park until December 8, the date of their final Europa League group game away to Maccabi Tel Aviv in Israel. Should the Lilywhites progress to the knockout stages the Galway man admitted that it would take ‘a tremendous offer to take me away from Dundalk’.

Dundalk boss Stephen Kenny is adamant his players will be able to pick themselves up for tomorrow’s final after the 2-1 defeat to Zenit.

Manchester City scouts have also watched him for sister club Melbourne City

Benitez is a keen admirer of the winger, whose Dundalk contract expires on December 8

‘This is a big ask, but one that we’re ready for,’ said Kenny, who confirmed midfielder Robbie Benson is very doubtful.