Newcastle United’s preparations for the 2022/23 campaign begin with a friendly against Gateshead.
The Magpies’ first pre-season fixture will be a behind closed doors affair against Mike Williamson’s side.
Gateshead will arrive at the Toon training ground on the back of promotion to the National League last season with a squad that includes multiple former Magpies.
It will be the first chance for Eddie Howe to properly check out his team this summer, and he has a full squad to pick from after the international stars returned to training on Wednesday.
No Sven Botman in defence
While the international players are back in training, it would be a surprise to see them feature against Gateshead. That means we’re not expecting Sven Botman to make his Toon debut.
It would also be a surprise to see Nick Pope feature. Instead, we’re tipping Mark Gillespie to start the game against our Tyneside neighbours.
Right-back may have to go to Jacob Murphy, simply because Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth have only just returned. As for Javi Manquillo, he’s yet to be pictured in training.
Jamal Lewis will hopefully get a chance at left-back, while Jamaal Lascelles should captain the side alongside Toon youngster Kelland Watts. The latter has been linked with a loan move away this summer.
Chance for Lucas De Bolle
Watts isn’t the only academy lad we expect to start against Gateshead. Lucas De Bolle will hope for an opportunity in pre-season, having nearly made his Premier League debut last season.
Eddie Howe rates the 19-year-old, and called him ‘excellent‘ earlier in the year. He might not break through this season, but the game against Gateshead is a good chance for Howe to see where De Bolle is at.
He will hopefully start in midfield alongside Sean Longstaff and the returning Jonjo Shelvey, who missed the end of last season due to injury.
Joe Willock is an option too, but Howe might be keen to ease him back in after he too suffered with injury towards the end of the 2021/22 campaign.
Callum Wilson leading the line
Options are a little bit limited in attack at the moment. Newcastle are still looking to strengthen their forward line before the transfer window closes.
Starting out wide we’ve got Matt Ritchie and Ryan Fraser, while Callum Wilson leads the line through the middle.
He’ll be keen to get minutes under his belt and prove his fitness, but don’t expect him to play the full 90. That could give an opportunity to Isaac Westendorf, the 21-year-old who has been training with the first-team.
Predicted XI to face Gateshead: Gillespie; Murphy, Lascelles, Watts, Lewis; Ritchie, Longstaff, Shelvey, De Bolle, Fraser; Wilson.
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