Huge home crowd could be waiting

NEWCASTLE United Under-21s can earn the chance to play in front of a bumper crowd at St James’ Park in the Checkatrade Trophy if they see off Grimsby Town tonight.

The Magpies are currently sitting top of Group H and a win in North East Lincolnshire at Blundell Park would guarantee a place in the second-round draw of the competition.

Group winners earn the right for a home tie against secondplaced teams from the other groups with the competition continuing its regional format for now.

The EFL have confirmed there will be no extra restrictions in the draw, which means that Newcastle could still face Sunderland – who have to play their first team in this competition – should the Black Cats finish second in Group A.

For that possibility to remain alive, Sunderland would have to lose to Morecambe and Stoke must beat Carlisle.

The regional format also continues for the next round too meaning a Tyne-Wear derby of sorts is still feasible.

The EFL revealed that they had worked with Northumbria Police in the group stages to avoid a possible clash in the summer, when they said: “Southampton U21s will be prevented from being drawn with Portsmouth and Newcastle U21s will avoid Sunderland in Round One, as the EFL has committed to work in conjunction with the Police to avoid high-profile clashes in the Group Stages.”

Victory for Newcastle at Grimsby would take their prize money in the competition to £50,000 so far after two wins and an initial payment of £20,000 just for taking part.