Ben Dawson believes Newcastle United's 'plans' for a permanent U21s appointment will be reviewed after the upcoming Wear-Tyne derby. Dawson has led the young Magpies on an interim basis since Elliott Dickman's departure last month, and will be in the hotseat for the Academy of Light clash with Sunderland on Monday afternoon.
Eddie Howe has confirmed he will have no input in the recruitment process, but has backed the club's hierarchy to make the right call on the 'key appointment'. Newcastle U21s are yet to pick up a victory in 2023, but snatched a late home draw with Bristol City on Wednesday afternoon courtesy of a stunning late strike from Amadou Diallo.
The transfer window and the Carabao Cup second leg are clearly the priorities for the Magpies in the coming days. Dawson admits he has heard 'nothing' on the search for Dickman's successor, but expect talks to take place on the subject at the start of next month.
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The first-team development coach told ChronicleLive: "Obviously it's a busy period with the transfer window, we've got an under-19s team playing in Madrid today [Wednesday]. Staff are here, there and everywhere, and obviously the first-team's schedule is full as well.
"It's all hands on deck at the moment. After the Sunderland game we've got a couple of weeks to the next fixture so we'll probably get a chance to sit down then and find out what the plans are.
"As a coach, no matter whether you're working with the first-team or the under-nines, it's another group of players and another game. That's your enjoyment, the bit you love and you don't mind who it's with. You're out on the grass and doing what you do best."
Newcastle avoided defeat in their final Premier League Cup clash with Bristol City, which had twice been postponed due to a frozen pitch at Whitley Park. Dawson's side had already been knocked out of the competition, having lost their opening four Group E fixtures.
The visitors looked on course for victory when Seb Palmer-Houlden opened the scoring at Whitley Park in the 74th minute from the penalty spot. City were later reduced to ten men when Dylan Kadji was dismissed for a late challenge, and the Magpies made their numerical advantage count in stoppage time when Diallo beat Mac Boyd from distance.
Reflecting on the 1-1 draw, Dawson said: "They have got off to a bright start and had the chance early on, Jude Smith's made a good save. After that, I think the game was pretty much level. There wasn't much in it, they haven't created anything and we haven't created anything.
"We tried to change a couple of things at half-time. Then you get the penalty decision against you, and it's a little bit sloppy from our point of view where we should just clear the ball.
"Then great character and resilience to get back in the game, the sending off obviously helped but it's a great finish from Amadou. When we've done the finishing all week, he's been the best finisher in training and it's no coincidence he's scored the goal today."
* Newcastle United U21s return to Premier League 2 action on Monday afternoon with the Wear-Tyne derby against Sunderland. You can follow all of the updates from Whitley Park as it happens here.
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