A stacked Newcastle United U-21 side fell to a 1-2 home defeat to Southampton, as some of our first team stars built up some minutes ahead of their much anticipated first appearances in the Premier League.

With Southampton taking the lead at 15 minutes, Sean Neave his second in two games just moments later, as he launched his case to be included as a senior striking option whilst Alexander Isak remains absent.

But a decisive goal in the second half from the visitors saw us suffer defeat at Whitley Park in the opening game of our Premier League 2 campaign.

Despite the result, it’s a positive sign that Eddie Howe could be prepared to make some big calls ahead of the upcoming games against Liverpool and Leeds.

Top talents join Park and senior stars in strong U21 side

Sunday afternoon saw a rather unusually strong Newcastle United U-21 side take to the field at Whitley Park to kick off their PL2 campaign.

Lewis Hall was the big inclusion, as he earned his first competitive minutes for the club at any capacity since his season-ending injury back in February, looking solid defensively and sharp in possession.

Seung-soo Park was also included after his impressive pre-season performances, another sign that he could be heading straight into the U-21s set up rather than loaned abroad like so many of our other recent youth signings.

In truth, Park struggled to make a big impact and was often contained by the Saints defence, strengthening suggestions that he may need a year with the second team to develop his game before he’s thrown into Howe’s senior squad.

Joining the duo was a number of highly-rated youth talents, with Alfie Harrison, Sean Neave, Trevan Sanusi, Cathal Heffernan and Travis Hernes just a number of U-21 hopefuls hoping to make the step up soon.

Alex Murphy started at centre-back and Harrison Ashby also came in at right-back, with the former West Ham talent now facing an uncertain future after featuring in pre-season following a loan spell at QPR last term.

Despite the narrow defeat against a Southampton side who finished above our young Magpies last season, coach Robbie Stockdale had big praise for everyone involved, including senior stars Hall and Seung soo.

“We didn’t know what our team would look like until Saturday but we are here to supply those opportunities for the senior players and I thought they all came down and showed up really well for us and they will be better for having that game under their belts.”

Newcastle United Under-21s: Max Thompson, Harrison Ashby, Cathal Heffernan (c), Alex Murphy, Lewis Hall, Anthony Munda, Travis Hernes, Alfie Harrison (Scott Bailey 77), Trevan Sanusi, Seung-soo Park (Kyle Fitzgerald 70), Sean Neave.

Subs not used: Charlie McArthur, Adam Harrison, Joe Brayson.

Lewis Hall return imminent ahead of Liverpool clash?

Even if it’s coming in the very second week of the season, the upcoming game against Liverpool is will perhaps be our most hotly contested fixture of the entire season outside of either derby game.

After the whole Alexander Isak debacle of the summer, and with it being the first home game of the new campaign, we will be out for blood on Monday night against Arne Slot’s side.

And Howe may opt to give an extra-motivated Lewis Hall his return to the starting XI for the game. He was an unused sub in Saturday’s draw at Villa Park, but considering it was the Liverpool game back in February which cost Hall the chance to play in the Carabao Cup final, then there’s perhaps no bigger game to see the youngster come back and play in.