Beardsley Pleased With Heed Workout

By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor

Despite seeing his side concede a last-minute equaliser, Newcastle's Football Development Manager Peter Beardsley was all smiles after the Magpies' under-21 side drew with Gateshead in a behind-closed-doors practice match on Tuesday.

Adam Campbell's wonderful goal was cancelled out by a last gasp Michael Rankine header but Beardsley was more concerned with seeing Davide Santon complete an hour of his first match since April and Jonas Gutierrez play 90 minutes for the first time since beating cancer.

Santon had been sidelined with a knee injury but the Italian is pushing hard for a first-team recall and told nufcTV after the game that he hopes to be involved in Thursday's Barclays Premier League fixture against Burnley, having been an unused substitute in the recent win over Everton.

"It was disappointing for us to concede a last minute goal but the big thing for us was Davide getting through an hour and for Jonas to get a full game," Beardsley said.

"Davide wanted to play longer, but he got a kick on something else which just knocked him back a bit. But it'll only be a day or two and he'll be back with the main group.

"As for Jonas, you naturally get better every game and while it's hard to comprehend what he's gone through, I imagine he's going to get stronger every day and be fitter every day.

"Everybody's got respect for him and it's amazing what he's come through.

"Curtis Good, Remie Streete and Jamie Sterry all got half a game too, so hopefully going forward that will help them.

"Gateshead played something like the team that might line up against West Brom (in the FA Cup third round on Saturday) and it was a good game. They had a couple of chances, we had three or four good chances and Adam Campbell scored a really good goal so that'll be good for him."