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Under-21s Eye Top Spot
Written by Newcastle Utd
Peter Beardsley's under-21s take on Middlesbrough on Monday night, with Adam Campbell set to make his return from injury
By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor
There's plenty at stake at Victoria Park as Middlesbrough entertain Newcastle in the Barclays Under-21 Premier League second division on Monday (kick-off 7pm).
Peter Beardsley's side are currently in second place behind leaders Arsenal but Boro - who have played a game more than the Magpies - are level on points in third place, so the Teessiders would overtake United with victory at Hartlepool United's ground.
Three points for United, however, would take them back to the top of the division and Beardsley is set to name three players with first-team experience in his squad.
Adam Campbell is expected to make his return from a hernia injury while Haris Vuckic - who scored in last week's second-string success against Brighton - and Gael Bigirimana are also involved.
Jak Alnwick, who made his Reserve team debut against Boro at the Riverside Stadium in October 2009, will start in goal while Lubo Satka is likely to marshall the back line.
Olivier Kemen, who appeared as a substitute against Brighton, is set to make his first start of the campaign having recovered from injury.
"He was captain of France under-19s for three games recently and did well," Beardsley told nufc.co.uk.
"Against Brighton, he only played 12 minutes because we decided that after three games for his country it would be better not to take a risk. But against Middlesbrough, he'll be heavily involved.
"He's a good kid, a powerful kid, and we've got high hopes for him."
Hartlepool were the last English club of Beardsley's illustrious playing career, with the former England star spending the 1998-1999 season at Victoria Park and helping them to stay in the Football League.
And he said: "It'll be good for me to go back there.
"It's a great game. The good thing about Middlesbrough is that they play football. They've got a new manager, (Aitor) Karanka, who's done a brilliant job and it would be nice to see them get promoted.
"I've heard from talking to Dave Parnaby that he's very positive towards their Reserves and Academy so good luck to them, and it'll be nice to see a few old friends on Monday."
Admission at Victoria Park is £3 for adults and free to under-16s and OAPs upon production of valid ID cards.