Newcastle United’s under-21s suffered defeat on Friday evening but there was a glimpse into the future and a returning star involved as Ben Dawson’s side lost at home to Leeds United’s youngsters.
Forgotten man Jay Turner-Cooke is back amongst the reserve side after spending months on the sidelines with a hernia issue. The young midfielder, who impressed in pre-season before being shipped out on loan to Scotland, is hoping for a late run of games with the under-21s.
Turner-Cooke has featured in the last three outings, managing his second successive 90 minutes in the Leeds defeat. The big question that will emerge in the coming months is whether Eddie Howe gives the 20-year-old another shot at first-team minutes over the summer, as he did at the beginning of this season.
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“I was buzzing to be playing again,” Turner-Cooke told Newcastle’s official website this week. “It’s been a tough few months out injured, which I had been carrying for a while when I was at St Johnstone.
“To be back on the pitch with a smile on my face was all I’ve needed for the last few months and hopefully I can get a good amount of minutes from now until the end of the season.”
Amadou Diallo, who has featured on the Newcastle bench amidst the club’s never-ending injury crisis, was another attacker who featured from the outset at Whitley Park on Friday evening. There was also starts for Jamie Miley (20) and Charlie McArthur (18), who are hoping their time will come in the senior side.
January addition Alfie Harrison, 18, was signed as a long-term prospect and spent his early days on Tyneside split between the under-18s and under-21s as staff figured out just how much he had developed at Manchester City. Already the recent signing is a regular in Dawson’s setup, playing 90 minutes in each of the last five matches for the under-21s.
Harrison started in the 2-0 Leeds defeat and is making significant progress in the Newcastle youth ranks. He is another who could enjoy a big summer in Howe’s plans.
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