A new video has been shared by the club’s official Twitter page showing the senior squad’s second day in pre-season training today – while EIGHT U-23’s have signed new deals.
Everyone bar Miguel Almiron, Fabian Schar, Martin Dubravka and Christian Atsu (all on extended leave after international duty) is now back at the Benton training base, with youngsters Mo Sangare, Nathan Harker and Tom Allan joining several forgotten men in the senior set up.
As the clip below shows, the likes of Aarons, Colback, Lazaar, Gayle, Murphy are all back in the fold – with many now likely to have gained clean slates at the club and a surprise second chance following Rafa’s exit:
On the contract front, the club have also announced that EIGHT U-23 talents have signed new deals at the club – Nathan Harker, Lewis Cass, Tom Allan, Owen Bailey, Liam Gibson, Mo Sangare, Oliver Walters and Stefan O’Connor
Here’s a snippet from the club’s official announcement, with THREE of these currently training with the first team (Harker, Sangare, Allan):
Eight youngsters have completed new professional deals to remain at Newcastle United.
Nathan Harker, Lewis Cass, Tom Allan, Owen Bailey, Liam Gibson, Mo Sangare, Oliver Walters and Stefan O’Connor have all signed contracts to remain at the club.
Harker, who plays as a goalkeeper, was a regular for United’s Under-23 squad last term and made his debut for Newcastle’s senior squad during a competitive 1-1 friendly draw in 2018 against Royal Antwerp at the Pinatar Arena in Spain.
Cass, who can play as a centre-half or full-back, received a first call-up to Newcastle’s first-team squad during the Magpies’ 4-0 thrashing of Fulham on the final day of the season at Craven Cottage.
Allan, who primarily plays as a winger, broke into United’s second-string at the back end of the 2017/18 season and scored in Newcastle’s 3-1 away win against Doncaster Rovers in September during the young Magpies’ Checkatrade Trophy campaign, reaching the last 16 after a 100 per cent win record in Group G.
Bailey arrived at Newcastle’s Academy at the age of seven and the 20-year-old, who can play in defence or midfield, captained the under-23 squad to two finals last season, losing to Southampton and Everton in the Premier League 2 division two play-offs and Premier League Cup respectively.
Gibson, who plays as a left-back, made his first-team debut at the age of 19 during Newcastle’s 2-1 friendly win over Lillestrom in February 2016. A month later, Gibson appeared on the first-team bench for the Magpies’ 1-0 Premier League win over West Bromwich Albion.
Sangare, who joined United’s Academy in 2016, achieved two caps for his native Liberia last term, making his senior international debut in the Lone Stars’ African Cup of Nations qualifier against DR Congo, which ended in a 1-0 defeat.
Walters, a boyhood Magpies supporter, signed his first professional contract for the club last year before featuring on a regular basis for United’s second-string last term, predominantly as a left-back.
O’Connor, a 22-year-old defender, has been offered a short-term deal after sustaining a anterior cruciate ligament injury in January.
Elsewhere, midfielder Dan Barlaser put pen to paper on a new deal at St. James’ Park and has joined League One outfit Rotherham United on loan for the 2019/20 campaign.
