Youth coach joins push for Under-23s

NEWCASTLE United youth team coach Kevin Richardson has been pushed up to help work with the club’s Under-23 side.

The former Everton, Aston Villa and England star and Toon youth coach had previously worked with the United Under-18s but has been travelling with the club’s second string to work with Ben Dawson in recent weeks.

United did not make certain changes to the reserve and Academy set-up as suggested by Rafa Benitez in the summer.

Instead they made one or two tweaks behind the scenes, including the appointment of goalkeeper coaches Steve Harper and Dani García Vallejo.

Newcastle are yet to make an announcement on Peter Beardsley after it emerged there was an internal investigation under way.

United’s Under-18s are suffering a tough start to the season after losing 8-0 at home to Derby County, while the Under-23s are struggling to find consistency.

They did make a good start to the Checkatrade Trophy by beating Doncaster Rovers ahead of Group G games with Notts County and Grimsby Town.

When asked what philosophy he wanted from his Under-23 players, Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez said: “You have to give everything and show passion, but at the same time you have to play your football.

“You have to win games with passion and game intelligence. So you have to find this balance.”

Dawson was in the stands at Crystal Palace at the weekend as he looks to send a consistent message on what is demanded from the first-team squad to his players.