Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe will cast his eye over some of the club's youth prospects this summer as he prepares his side for the Premier League restart next month. The Magpies coach had a bulk of his players back for the first day of pre-season on Friday as he gets to work ahead of the opening day fixture with Nottingham Forest.
Big first-team names were back at Darsley Park, including the likes of Joelinton, Allan Saint-Maximin, Callum Wilson, Dan Burn, Jonjo Shelvey and Joe Willock. Some key players such as Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier will return in the near future due to their international commitments last month.
However, it is not just well-known first-team players being welcomed back to training this summer, as Howe takes a look at a few of the under-23 prospects at his disposal.
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Chronicle Live yesterday reported that former non-league striker Isaac Westendorf has started pre-season rubbing shoulders with senior stars like Wilson and Saint-Maximin after some impressive displays for the second string last term.
The 20-year-old signed a professional deal with the Magpies last season after a successful trial after spending part of his early career with Barking of the Isthmian League North Division in the eighth tier of English football.
Lucas De Bolle was another youngster in training on Friday after a fine season with the reserves last term. The Scotland U21 international is another who has caught the eye since Howe's arrival, earning his place on the bench on a few occasions in 2022.
“I saw him play in a development game and really liked him instantly so I’ve got really high hopes for him," the Newcastle boss said earlier this year. "I think, technically, he’s very good and he can play in a number of positions as well, which is really important.”
Jay Turner-Cooke and Joe White also worked with the senior squad this week. Both players will likely be given a chance to impress in the upcoming friendlies this month.
Matty Longstaff and Kell Watts were also in attendance at Benton, fresh from their impressive loan spells with Mansfield and Wigan respectively. The duo could yet be shipped out once again this summer, along with Elliot Anderson, after Howe takes a look at the youngsters in the next month.
Friday's session consisted of some gym work and a fitness session out on the grass. Coach Nick Grantham worked on explosive power jumps with the first-team inside, while new addition Liam Mason helped the likes of Wilson and Saint-Maximin with hip and leg exercises.
Former Bournemouth coach Dan Hodges led a session on the grass as the likes of Jamal Lewis, Paul Dummett, Federico Fernandez and Matt Targett enjoyed their first day back. Howe, his coaches and his players were all in the club's new Castore training gear.
Newcastle will play a behind-closed-doors friendly on Saturday when they take on Mike Williamson's Gateshead.
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