Under-23s' Premier League 2 fixtures announced

The young Magpies will compete in Premier League 2 Division Two and host their Royals counterparts at Whitley Park in their opening league fixture on Monday, 16th August (kick-off 7pm BST).

Chris Hogg's side are part of a 14-team division this year as they bid to gain promotion to the top tier.

Playing their home games at Whitley Park in Benton, United's youngsters are also set to play two fixtures at St. James' Park - the Tyne-Tees derby with Middlesbrough in October as well as their penultimate league encounter of the season against Southampton in April.

Newcastle's second-string will face local rivals Sunderland at the Stadium of Light on Monday, 18th October before hosting the Black Cats at Whitley Park on Monday, 6th December.

See the full Premier League 2 fixture list for Newcastle United Under-23s below. These remain subject to change.

AUGUST

Monday 16th - Reading (H) - 7pm
Monday 23rd - Birmingham City (A) - 7pm
Friday 27th - Burnley (H) - 7pm

SEPTEMBER

Monday 13th - West Bromwich Albion (A) - 7pm
Monday 20th - Stoke City (H) - 7pm
Friday 24th - Fulham (A) - 1pm

OCTOBER

Friday 1st - Middlesbrough (St. James' Park) - 7pm
Monday 18th - Sunderland (A) - 7pm
Monday 25th - Wolverhampton Wanderers (H) - 7pm
Friday 29th - Norwich City (H) - 7pm

NOVEMBER

Friday 5th - Southampton (A) - 7pm
Monday 22nd - Nottingham Forest (A) - 7pm
Monday 29th - Aston Villa (H) - 7pm

DECEMBER

Monday 6th - Sunderland (H) - 7pm
Monday 20th - Wolverhampton Wanderers (A) - 7pm

JANUARY

Monday 10th - West Bromwich Albion (H) - 7pm
Monday 17th - Reading (A) - 7pm
Monday 24th - Nottingham Forest (H) - 7pm

FEBRUARY

Monday 7th - Burnley (A) - 7pm
Monday 21st - Fulham (H) - 7pm
Monday 28th - Norwich City (A) - 7pm

MARCH

Monday 14th - Birmingham City (H) - 7pm
Monday 21st - Stoke City (A) - 7pm

APRIL

Sunday 3rd - Middlesbrough (A) - 1pm
Monday 25th - Southampton (St. James' Park) - 7pm

MAY

Monday 2nd - Aston Villa (A) - 7pm