Obertan's A City Slicker

By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Gabriel Obertan is included as one of two overage players in the Newcastle United under-21s squad to face Manchester City on Friday afternoon.

The former Manchester United winger has made 22 appearances in the Barclays Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup and Capital One Cup this term but will play for Willie Donachie and Peter Beardsley's side at Hyde United's Ewen Fields (kick-off 2pm).

Ironically, Obertan's last start for the first-team came away to Manchester City at the end of March.

He's one of two players with first-team experience, with Romain Amalfitano the other as the Magpies look to make it eight Barclays Premier Under-21 Premier League games unbeaten.

One of the matches in that run was a 1-1 draw against City last month, where Steven Logan scored his first second-string goal with a spectacular strike, and the Scotland youth international is again involved this time around.

Michael Richardson has scored two goals in three games since returning from a loan spell at Gillingham while for goalkeeper Jonathan Mitchell and midfielder Brandon Miele, the fixture will bring back memories of their Reserve team debuts at the same venue back in January 2011.

Adam Campbell also made his second-string bow that night - before going back to school the following morning.

The squad is: Rolando Aarons, Jak Alnwick, Romain Amalfitano, Alex Gilliead, Alex Kitchen, Steven Logan, Kevin Mbabu, Brandon Miele, Jonathan Mitchell, Yven Moyo, Alex Nicholson, Gabriel Obertan, Jonathyn Quinn, Michael Richardson, Lubo Satka.