Ray Gooding has revealed that Newcastle United midfielder Gael Bigirimana still refers to him as 'dad'.

Gooding, who has returned to his scouting role at Coventry City, boasts an impressive CV of unearthing young talent as he is credited with discovering stars such as Callum Wilson, Daniel Sturridge, Gary McSheffrey, Callum Davenport and Chris Kirkland.

Another talented young player whom Gooding help launch at Coventry is Bigirimana, and the 56-year old has now gone on to reveal that the Newcastle midfielder still has a fondness for his good friend.

Gooding told the Coventry Telegraph: "We all know the story about Gael who came banging on the Academy door and I looked after him; he was like a second son to me and I was like a dad to him.

"He still rings me up now and says, 'all right dad, how are you doing?'"