Newcastle United and Burnley are two of the club eyeing up Newport County striker Aaron Collins according to The Shields Gazette. The Newport born forward has scored two goals so far this season.

Championship side Burnley went as far as producing an actual bid for the 18-year-old and even contacted former England great Terry Butcher, now the manager at Newport, to discuss the possibility of him moving to Turf Moor.

Steve McClaren has sent scouts to see Collins, who also had a brief loan spell with Merthyr Town, in action, as they look for new recruits for the future. Whilst Butcher acknowledges that Collins is a striker with a bright future and that talk of interest from other clubs did leave the youngster slightly distracted,

“Aaron is a key player. He’s got two goals now, and he’s only played two full matches, so he’s made a very good start to his career.

The offer came in from Burnley, but it didn’t match out valuation.

He came to see me and I think he head was a bit fuzzy because of all of the interest, but we told him that we value him very highly and the offers from Burnley didn’t match that valuation that we’ve put on him.”

Academy graduate Regan Poole earlier this season left the club to join Manchester United and Butcher believes that the fact young players are given a chance to play at Rodney Parade benefits the player in the short and long term,

“His opportunity will come and it’s great for the younger boys coming through because it shows that the opportunities are there.

I said to Aaron Collins ‘don’t jump on the first bus that comes along because maybe a better one will follow’.”

Newport remain bottom of League Two after only one victory all season. They’ll be hoping to achieve their second victory and jump off the foot of the table this Saturday when they entertain top-half side Exeter City to South Wales.