Newcastle’s pre-season preparations will step up this afternoon, as Eddie Howe’s Mags take on Scottish Champions Celtic in today’s 3pm kick-off in Glasgow.
10,000 Mags will pack out the away end in Celtic Park and there’ll be several ones to watch as football finally returns almost two months on from our final day clash with Everton back in May.
Obvious ones to watch include new signing Anthony Elanga, Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles after both look to put serious knee issues behind them, along with returning internationals like Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon and Sandro Tonali.
Lewis Hall won’t be involved just yet as he steps up his recovery from a foot issue, but there are a number of under-21 stars and several returning loan talents who may be handed opportunities to impress the boss today:
Travis Hernes (CM) – The 19-year-old Norwegian U20 international played 45 minutes in last weekend’s 4-0 win over Carlisle and was with the senior squad during this week’s camp in Austria. Spent last season on loan at Aalborg BK and is with the group today.
Alex Murphy (LB/CB) – The Irishman spent last season at Bolton, securing senior minutes in League One, and has featured over pre-season, both in Austria and the win over Carlisle. With Hall out, we may see him feature at left-back.
Sean Neave (CF) – Made Howe’s squad on several occasions last season, including at Wembley. Versatile 18-year-old forward scored goals for fun at U18 and U21 level last term and is considered one of our top prospects.
Joe White (CM) – The tall Geordie midfielder is back from impressing at MK Dons and must impress Howe soon to have any future. He’s 22 and this may be last-chance-saloon for his Newcastle career.
Harrison Ashby (RB) – Back from a mixed loan spell at QPR, but has been with the senior squad over the first two weeks of pre-season and started against Carlisle. At 23, he must make the step up soon or risks being sold.
Anthony Munda (CM) – Talented 18-year-old midfielder is with the squad at Celtic Park and will be hoping to get some minutes.
Trevan Sanusi (LW) – Another 18-year-old England youth talent who made a big impression over last summer’s pre-season campaign. Suffered an injury last season that hampered his progress slightly, but played 45 minutes against Carlisle and could feature at Celtic today.
Leo Shahar (RB) – A highly-rated young right-back who has stepped up through the U18 and U21 sides since signing from Wolves. The 18-year-old has captained England at youth level and has impressed staff on Tyneside since training with the first team.
Ben Parkinson (ST) – The hard-working striker scored in our 4-0 win over Carlisle and will be looking to impress again here.
Max Thompson (GK) – The 20-year-old stopper is a former England U18 international and was with the group in Austria after a spell with Chesterfield last season.
Alfie Harrison and Garang Kuol are two other U21s of note who have impressed, but neither were involved against Carlisle last weekend so it remains to be seen if they’ll be with the group today.
