Jack Compton picks Falkirk ahead of Newcastle

NEW Falkirk winger Jack Compton has revealed how he knocked back the chance to land a deal at Championship leaders Newcastle United to move to the SPL.

The former Portsmouth and West Brom midfielder will pen an initial 18-month contract with Falkirk at the start of January having signed a pre-contract from English non-league side Weston-super-Mare.

After failing to make an impact in the full time ranks, including a spell at Brighton, word of the 21-year-old's glowing reviews with the Conference South club spread as far as Newcastle, Falkirk and Exeter.

And after mulling over several options, Compton is adamant that a switch north of the border to join manager Eddie May's young side is the right move as he bids to kick-start his career back in the professional game.

He said: "I am absolutely over the moon. The move came about as I was playing well at Weston-super-Mare and I had a lot of clubs looking at me, including Falkirk, Newcastle and Exeter. Falkirk offered me something so I grabbed it with two hands.

"They treated me so well when I came up for my trial and the gaffer said I won't be up to sit in the reserves like I probably would at somewhere like Newcastle.

"It also gives me a lot of confidence with Eddie's approach to young players that you know you are going to get your opportunity to try and shine. I have just got to wait for that and grab it."