Middlesbrough take former Newcastle United youngster on trial

The versatile forward has teamed-up with Boro’s under-23 side – and will feature against Stoke City for the club’s second string this evening.

Roberts, who generally operates as a winger, was released by the Premier League side at the end of last season.

That followed an underwhelming loan spell at League Two side Colchester United, which saw the 22-year-old feature only three times.

But he was highly-regarded at St James’s Park and netted for the senior side against Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup in January.

Indeed, Roberts was linked with a glamorous move to Greek side Panathinaikos earlier this summer – but a move appears to have failed to materialise.

And the South Shields-born wideman will now look to make an impact at the Riverside Stadium in a bid to earn a permanent stay.