Newcastle under-23’s took on their Wolverhampton counterparts on Monday night, and notable Magpies’ first teamers were in action.
The quartet of Jack Colback, Henri Saivet, Dwight Gayle and Rolando Aarons all featured in the 1-nil loss, and it does appear the former two could still have a chance to feature in manager Rafa Benitez’s first team plans.
Aarons and Gayle need to up his match fitness levels, and playing for the youths is only a great step in the right direction.
Both Colback and Saivet are still considered surplus to requirements, and could have left the club during the summer transfer if they had agreed to, as they weren’t short of offers.
The duo won’t likely be getting back to training with the first team anytime soon, but should they impress in subsequent outings with the under-23’s, there could be a change of Benitez’s mind.
Aarons missed last season’s Championship-winning campaign after suffering an ACL injury and has continued to work his way back to full fitness.
A return to the first-team before Christmas is very possible for the young winger.
Gayle’s case is a curious, yet somewhat baffling one, but having the club’s last season’s highest goalscorer playing youth football can only help straighten him out.
The striker has been far from impressive this term, and is already confirming a lot of fears many had over his ability to prove his quality in the Premier League last season.
A lifeline is being handed to him and the aforementioned trio, and should things turn out well, the first team is set to benefit immensely from their reinvigoration.
