Under-21s Are Craven First Win

By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor

Newcastle's under-21s will look to register their first Barclays Under-21 Premier League win of the season at Fulham on Friday (kick-off 7pm).

Peter Beardsley's boys have lost just one of their last four matches, while the likes of Kevin Mbabu and Ivan Toney have made senior debuts already this term, but they are still seeking that elusive victory at this level.

Craven Cottage is the venue for United's sixth second-string match of the campaign and striker Toney is included in the squad, fresh from being crowned the Barclays Under-21 Player of the Month for September.

Lubo Satka, Liam Smith, Jamie Sterry and Callum Roberts are back in contention after injury while Callum Williams is available after serving a one-match suspension against Swansea.

And left-back Liam Gibson will continue his comeback after making substitute appearances in United's last two games, against the Swans and away to West Ham.

Illness kept the Stanley-born 18-year-old out of the first three games of the campaign having already interrupted his pre-season preparations, but he's eager to make up for lost time.

"Firstly I'd just like to thank Si (Tweddle), the fitness coach, for getting me to where I am now and also the coaching staff - Peter, Ben (Dawson) and everyone involved," he told nufc.co.uk.

"I'm buzzing to be back. It's been very frustrating - particularly because it wasn't an injury but an illness - but I knew in the back of my mind that if I could just work over the summer and get back, hopefully I would be able to carry on where I left off last season.

"I didn't expect to come on for such a long time against Swansea - I thought I might just get 20 minutes at the end - but I'm happy with how I've done since I came back."

Admission on Friday night is free for Fulham season ticket holders and members; otherwise it's £3 for adults and £1 for under-16s and OAPs.