Fitness guru Steve Black, who Jonny Wilkinson calls 'a second father', could entice Charlie Austin into joining Newcastle
- Steve Black is set to join Steve McClaren's backroom team at Newcastle
- Black has worked with Jonny Wilkinson, who raves about his influence
- Striker Charlie Austin worked closely with him at QPR last season
By
CRAIG HOPE FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 09:44 GMT, 10 June 2015 | UPDATED: 11:04 GMT, 10 June 2015
The man credited with much of Jonny Wilkinson’s success could hold the key to Newcastle signing QPR striker Charlie Austin.
Fitness and psychology guru Steve Black is set to join Steve McClaren’s backroom team at St James’ Park.
And Sportsmail understands it is hoped Black’s relationship with Austin - who scored 18 times for the relegated R's last season - will persuade the new England man that his future lies on Tyneside.
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Charlie Austin is expected to leave QPR in the summer after the club were relegated from the Premier League
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Steve Black (left) impressed Harry Redknapp with his work at QPR during his time at the club last season
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Austin fired in 18 goal for Queens Park Rangers in the Premier League last season but they still went down
The pair worked together at Loftus Road and hold each other in the highest regard.
Indeed, Black was impressed by Austin’s application and work ethic on the training ground and admires the manner in which the 25-year-old has made his way from non-league to the top-flight in just five seasons.
Newcastle have already held talks with Austin’s representatives and the £10million-rated frontman is set to decide on his future in the coming weeks.
But Black’s expected presence among the support staff at Gallowgate will be a huge draw.
Harry Redknapp was blown away by Black’s impact at QPR and McClaren used him in a freelance capacity at Derby County, while World Cup-winning rugby union star Wilkinson says the former Newcastle Falcons coach was like a second father.
Wilkinson once wrote:
‘It is difficult to narrow down what Blackie’s strengths are because there are no weaknesses. His class is his ridiculous knowledge, his thirst for gaining more and his ability to apply it all to an athlete. Blackie treats everybody as an individual and has always found the best way to help me to get better, just by being myself.
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