Young Magpies Up For The Cup

By Tom Easterby - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Newcastle United Under-21s are in Corby this weekend as they look to secure some pre-season silverware in the Steel Park Cup.

Peter Beardsley's side are one of four teams - along with Corby Town, Leeds United and PSV Eindhoven - who will battle it out for the trophy over two days in Northamptonshire.

And football development manager Beardsley says that competing in the tournament "steps things up" for his young team, as they look to build on back-to-back victories over non-league sides Bradford Park Avenue (3-0) and Darlington (5-1) in recent weeks.

"It steps things up in the sense that it's a competition. We want to go and try and win, no doubt about it," he told nufc.co.uk.

"With PSV, Leeds and Corby Town, it's a brilliant thing for the kids because while we don't always say it's about winning, when you play in competitions, and we'd like to do more of that, you are going there to win. Hopefully we can, and it's something we're looking forward to.

"When we went to Holland last year, we played against some good teams but didn't play against PSV. It'll be good for us to gauge where we were last year with these four teams, and obviously play against another Dutch team this weekend, so I'm looking forward to it."

United are taking a 24-man squad to Corby, boasting plenty of first team experience in the form of Kevin Mbabu, Haris Vuckic and Gael Bigirimana, while both summer signings - winger Yasin Ben El-Mhanni and defender Stuart Findlay - could make their second appearances for the club.

Beardsley's youngsters face Corby in their first fixture at Steel Park on Saturday (3.30pm kick-off) before lining up against PSV Eindhoven on Sunday (12pm kick-off).

Newcastle United Under-21s squad for the Steel Park Cup

Nathan Harker
Paul Woolston
Michael Newberry
Kevin Mbabu
Callum Williams
Lubo Satka
Stuart Findlay
Macaulay Gillesphey
Curtis Good
Kyle Cameron
Gael Bigirimana
Dan Barlaser
Dan Ward
Sean Longstaff
Yasin Ben El-Mhanni
Stefan Broccoli
Alex Gilliead
Jamie Holmes
Callum Roberts
Haris Vuckic
Jack Hunter
Luke Charman
Trialist
Ivan Toney