Pre-Season Match Preview/Thread: Darlington v Newcastle

Who is online?
- Users online
- Most online
- On this site
Where are they?

By Tyne-Talk
July 17 2009
Tomorrow Newcastle travel to the Northern Echo Arena to face Darlington in what will be their second pre-season friendly. Assistant/Caretaker manager Chris Hughton, has a number of players available for selection after several returned to training this week from International duty.

Last weekend when Newcastle played Shamrock Rovers in Dublin, a full team substitution took place giving many players an opportunity to play a part, but failing to give the possible starting eleven the opportunity to gel.

Xisco, Geremi, Bassong and Jonas Gutierrez (who looks to be on his way to Roma) all returned this week from their International commitments, whilst Andy Carroll has pencilled in tomorrow's game after missing last week's match through injury.

Obafemi Martins remains sidelined after surgery on his groin at the end of last season

Hughton told The Shields Gazette;

"The internationals are back who didn't join us last week in Dublin. And all three could be involved at some stage.

It's good to see them back. They came back in good shape, and haven't taken long to get into the swing of things. In effect, they're back into full training.

But we have to be careful and build up their pitch time gradually, therefore tomorrow and Huddersfield gives us the chance to do that.

It will be a stiffer test. We'll be rotating the players. We will look to give each player, over the two games, more pitch time."

Darlington, who are in the midst of a takeover and who host Newcastle on the back of a 4-0 defeat against Sunderland last night have been told the Newcastle game with be "a big step up for them".

Darlington manager Colin Todd told The Chronicle ahead of tomorrow's match;

"It will be great to welcome Newcastle to our place. But we've warned the players that this will be a big step up for them.

We have had plenty of young lads on trial who have been with Sunderland and Newcastle. So they will be involved and it will be a good test for them.

The spirit in the squad has been good from the first day back in training, and it's getting better all the time. We have had to put a squad together in a short period of time and in our two games so far we have given a favourable impression.

We have a mix of young and experienced players and what is important for us is that we all pull together in the same direction.

These games will be ideal for working on our team's style and pattern of play, while giving the players the chance to play against quality opposition.

I believe that teams can grow strong out of the sort of adversity we have suffered. It happened when I was at Bradford and before that Middlesbrough, and I'm sure it can happen here."

View a Printer Friendly version of this Story.

Bookmark or share this story with:

Goto Thread: Previous•Next

Forum List•Message List•New Topic•Search•Log In

17 Jul, 2009 13:39

More Newcastle United headlines

Newcastle United latest threads

Newcastle United Poll