Sunderland and Newcastle target ignores transfer talk ahead of Wembley date

Gateshead loan striker Dejaune Brown is solely focused on helping Rob Elliot’s side to FA Trophy success this weekend - despite speculation linking him with a move for Sunderland and Newcastle United.

The Derby County academy product has been in fine form with the National League club after scoring eight goals and providing seven assists in 21 appearances during the first loan spell of what already seems to be a highly promising career. Despite being only 18-years-old, the powerful young forward has shown maturity and ability beyond his tender years and will head into Saturday’s FA Trophy Final meeting with Solihull Moors looking to enhance his already glowing reputation.

However, with a first ever visit to Wembley now just hours away, Brown has stressed he is only focused on helping Elliot’s men claim success under the arch, rather than paying any attention to speculation regarding other clubs showing any interest in his services.

He told The Echo: “To be fair, there are rumours, there are always going to be rumours, but I don’t really let that affect how I play or how I act and I just want to go out and try and help the team in the best way I can. Derby have kept in touch with me regularly, they’ve helped me get through the loan spell here and they have been complimenting how it’s gone. They’ve given me areas to improve in my game so I’ve been trying to work on them for when I go back in the summer.”

No matter which way Saturday’s Wembley showpiece may go, there is little doubt Brown’s four-month spell at the International Stadium has been an overwhelming success. The Rams youngster have become a firm favourite with the Gateshead faithful and is now hoping to repay them for their faith and support by continuing his impressive form in the Trophy and helping them land silverware at the home of football.

He said: “It’s the perfect ending (to my loan spell), especially if we get the win when I’m out there with all of the boys and all of the supporters coming down. The fans have been very good helping me settle in and with doing what I’ve done so far, it’s been great being in and around the supporters. The Trophy has been great, with the hat-trick and then the assists against Macclesfield but now I’m hoping to continue that into the final and win the trophy.”