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Loan departures create opportunities - Beardsley
Written by Rory Mitchinson
Peter Beardsley has challenged other players to fill the gap left by recent departures as Newcastle United Under-23s gear up for next week’s double-header against Swansea City.
Freddie Woodman, Sean Longstaff and Callum Roberts have all left for Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock until the end of the season, the latter two having notched 17 goals between them this term.
United first lock horns with the Swans in the Premier League 2 Division Two on Monday, before returning to the Landore Training Centre just four days later for a Premier League Cup clash.
The Magpies approach a testing week in fine form, second only to the Welsh outfit in the Premier League 2’s second-tier after a four-game winning sequence.
But, with a handful of star performers having moved north of the border, Beardsley is hopeful that other members of his squad can make the most of the opportunities set to come their way.
“There are always reasons why your team changes, and this is a positive one,” he told nufc.co.uk. “It’s not like people are injured, so in that sense it’s good. For the three, four or five of them who are disappointed not to have been playing – not that they have complained about it – it’s now up to them. Can they step up and take the place of others who have done really well in the team?
“Swansea have been doing brilliant. They’re into the Checkatrade Trophy quarter-finals as well, so fair play to them. They’re top of the league and flying, but this is where the balance comes – I don’t mean it in a negative way, but I’m sure they’d swap places with their first team for the sake of the whole club. Ultimately, the first team have to win, but the reserves do not.
“We’re looking forward to it, though. As I’ve said before, they are a nice set of people, and it’ll be good to see them on Monday.”
Beardsley’s charges warmed up for the week ahead by taking on Woodman, Longstaff and Roberts’ new side in a practice game at the Magpies’ training ground yesterday.
Lee Clark’s Killie ran out 3-1 winners on a bitterly cold afternoon, goalkeeper Rob Elliot among those to play all 90 minutes for United.
Beardsley was encouraged by his side’s overall display, however, and feels that Rugby Park is a fitting destination for the trio heading out on loan.
“It was a good workout,” he said. “It’s always good to play against men, if you like. As I’ve said before, it isn’t always about the result, and certainly their third goal was a bit unfair. It was going straight to Robbie Elliot, but it’s taken a deflection. We played really well in the second half, and were unlucky on a couple of occasions. For us, it was nice to see Lee Clark as well, who is a legend at this club.
“Lee can’t decide how (Woodman, Longstaff and Roberts) play – obviously, they all have ability – but he can’t guarantee that they’re going to play well every day or be in the team every week. How they’re going to do, nobody knows, but the whole experience is right for them.
“The great thing for these three is that they’re all going to be together. It’s a big plus. If one isn’t doing as well, the other two can help him out. It’s good for our club and for Kilmarnock, and hopefully when they come back we’ll all be better off.”
" For the three, four or five of them who are disappointed not to have been playing – not that they have complained about it – it’s now up to them. Can they step up and take the place of others who have done really well in the team?"