Toure fighting to prove fitness

SUMMER signing Yannick Toure is getting closer to making his Newcastle United debut – but still not ready to appear for the Under-23s.

The 18-year-old arrived on Tyneside in the summer from BSC Young Boys but has yet to appear in a black-andwhite shirt.

When asked for an update on the Switzerland Under-18 international, Dawson told the Chronicle: “He’s got a little bit of a niggle.

“We are conscious he is still young and we haven’t known much about his training programme from last year in Switzerland.

“We have just had to manage him the best way we can. It is frustrating for him but also frustrating for us. What we have seen so far has been an exciting prospect.

“We have to manage him and gradually get him used to training four days a week before game.

“It is also those bits about growing up and maturing.”

Newcastle now face Notts County at Whitley Park in the Premier League Cup tonight and Dawson is hoping for the second win of the week after beating Fulham 5-2.

He said: “We told them they did a good job in terms of performance.

“The result off the back of that now needs to show they are professional.

“They have to go away and look after themselves.

“It’s a busy time and that’s the bit where they have to be professional.”