The 24-year-old had joined the Magpies in June 2020 from then-SkyBet League Two side Grimsby Town.

A former Scotland under-19 and under-21 international, he initially joined his local club Hull City before moving to Reading as a 16-year-old.

Loan spells with Woking and Braintree Town followed ahead of a move back up north to the Mariners in 2017.

His last appearance of 2019/20 was for Chorley at Aldershot Town in January, where he scored the second goal in a 3-3 draw.

The 6`3” Cardwell was instrumental in the Magpies’ historic Emirates FA Cup run last season, also scoring the equaliser in the 3-2 comeback win away at Wigan Athletic.

He then spent the second half of last season on loan at Stockport County following the curtailment of the National League North, featuring 19 times and grabbing 6 goals as the Hatters fell short in the National League play-offs.