United opt for low-key warm-up

THE Magpies face Tottenham Hotspur at the Melbourne Cricket Ground today (10.45am UK time) for a lucrative friendly game against Ange Postecoglou’s side.

Newcastle had set off for Australia immediately after the 4-2 win over Brentford and embarked on a 25-hour journey to Oz.

United did not hold a pre-match press conference with the Australian media focused firmly on Postecoglou’s return to the city. And while Spurs held an open training session, Newcastle opted for a low-key warm down session away from the glare of the cameras.

Howe had said in the build-up to the game: “It is a chance for us to play in front of a lot of people that wouldn’t normally get that opportunity. So I think we want to give a good representation of ourselves.

“We want to embrace everything about the trip, so we want to be very welcoming to everyone that we meet and thank the supporters for coming to watch us play.”

Newcastle arrived in Australia with Howe expecting to give Socceroos international youngster Garang Kuol a senior debut. But there seems to be a suggestion from Howe that the tour could prove to be the last action for longer serving squad members such as Paul Dummett and Matt Ritchie.

Howe said before setting off: “These two players have been absolutely fundamental to how we work behind the scenes, and I can’t speak highly enough of them both. There’s a slight doubt over their futures, but we go to Australia with them.

“I think European qualification might potentially have a bearing on what happens with their futures. What I will say about Paul Dummett and Matt Ritchie is that they’ve just been incredible servants to the football club. I absolutely love their characters and what they’ve given.”

NEWCASTLE’S 29-MAN SQUAD Goalkeepers Mark Gillespie, Aidan Harris, Nick Pope Defenders Harrison Ashby, Dan Burn, Dylan Charlton, Paul Dummett, Lewis Hall, Emil Krafth, Alex Murphy, Ciaran Thompson, Kieran Trippier

Midfielders

Elliot Anderson, Lucas De Bolle, Bruno Guimaraes, Travis Hernes, Joelinton, Jacob Murphy, Matt Ritchie, Ellis Stanton, Jay Turner-Cooke, Joe White

Forwards

Miguel Almiron, Harvey Barnes, Amadou Diallo, Alexander Isak, Garang Kuol, Ben Parkinson, Callum Wilson