HARIS Vuckic only found out he’d be able to go out on loan on the morning of transfer deadline day.

But he needed no persuasion in linking up with Stuart McCall again at Valley Parade until January.

The Newcastle forward is in line for his first appearance this weekend at Gillingham after playing a full reserve game against Burton yesterday.

Rafa Benitez had initially planned to keep Vuckic at St James’s Park after the window. But he had a late change of heart – and the Slovenian jumped at the opportunity.

Vuckic has had previous successful loan spells with Rotherham and Wigan – and at Rangers under McCall.

Speaking exclusively to the Telegraph & Argus, Vuckic revealed it had come as late notice. But now he feels he owes McCall some big performances.

He said: “I was not told until that morning, 9 or 10am, that I could go on loan so the decision was quick.

“I’m glad that everything came through. I was familiar with the manager here because he was my old boss at Rangers so I made up my mind straight away that I wanted to come.

“He is the man for me, he would give me chances every time even if I’d played bad games – he would still play me. That’s important for a player.

“He is still the same. He likes to be positive and likes to joke.

“There’s always a good atmosphere at training and that’s what players want.

“I met the players and the staff on Tuesday and I’ll get settled as I know the team a bit better. Hopefully we’re going to have some good results.

“I know Nicky Law from Rangers and really get along with him on and off the pitch. He’s a good player with good technique and I see he won player of the month (from the fans) – I’m not surprised that happened.

“I know a few of the other lads because I trained with the club three years ago for a week.”

Vuckic scored two in a trial game against Accrington during that time but nothing came of it.

“I don’t think Newcastle and Bradford could agree a loan deal at the time,” he admitted. “Then I signed for Rotherham and had a successful season there.

“But I am here at last. I have scored a couple of goals against Bradford since so now I think it’s time to score for them!

“The team is doing well and there is a good atmosphere. The players are happy and it’s always good when you are winning.

“I’m not expecting to just come in and jump in the team straight away. I’m going to work hard for my place and the chance comes I will do my maximum.”

City’s reserve game at the national football centre at St George’s Park ended with a crushing 5-0 defeat but Vuckic was happy to get another outing under his belt.

“Despite the performance and the result, it was nice to wear the Bradford top and get the minutes.

“It was the plan to play the whole game and then hopefully I will get a chance on Saturday.

“I’ve played eight games this season but they have been at under-23 level – that’s not where I want to be playing. That’s why the plan at Newcastle was to go and play some first team football and that I’m here until January.”