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Shefki's Second String Show
Written by Newcastle Utd
New signing Shefki Kuqi is part of a strong Newcastle Reserve squad to face Arsenal at St. James' on Wednesday night
By Dan King
Shefki Kuqi is set to make his first start for Newcastle in the Reserves' match with Arsenal on Wednesday (kick-off 7pm).
The Finnish international, who has made three substitute appearances in the Barclays Premier League since his arrival last month, is part of a strong squad which will take on The Gunners at St. James' Park.
Tim Krul and Danny Guthrie will also play in order to maintain their match sharpness, while teenage striker Phil Airey continues his return from the hamstring injury he suffered shortly after his first-team debut at Stevenage in January.
Ben Sayer, the 17-year-old midfielder who has shone for the Academy side this term, is given his first call-up at this level, as is Dan Taylor, who is the under-18s' top goalscorer and figured with the Development Squad in the Torneo di Viareggio in Italy. Left-back Michael Riley also travelled to Tuscany, and was an unused sub for the Reserves at Bolton recently.
The squad is: Tim Krul, Ole Soderberg, Dan Leadbitter, Michael Riley, Remie Streete, Patrick Nzuzi, Greg McDermott, Brad Inman, Danny Guthrie, Conor Newton, Michael Richardson, Ben Sayer, Ryan McGorrigan, Phil Airey, Shefki Kuqi, Dan Taylor.
Admission at St. James' Park is free to all, with the East Stand open for the game.