Newcastle's 3 players with fitness issues to manage after first pre-season game

The Magpies had been back in training less than a week but after the testing of players' fitness and stats following the summer break, they were keen to get back on the grass in a competitive game.

Eddie Howe opted to play two different XIs in each half against their National League North opponents, with a strong side in the first period made up of senior first-team players complemented by a couple of youngsters, with Alex Murphy starting at centre-half alongside Sven Botman, Leo Shahar at right-back, and 18-year-old Sean Steur getting his first run-out in midfield after his move from Ajax.

The second half saw a completely different starting XI with French goalkeeper Ewen Jaouen replacing Nick Pope between the sticks and Sean Neave also playing as part of a very youthful line up.

Three players who weren't involved against Darlington, despite being back in training, were Fabian Schar, Joelinton and Lewis Miley. The trio are continuing to be carefully managed after suffering injury issues at the end of last season.

Schar is being nursed back after missing the last five months of the campaign, initially with an ankle ligament injury in Newcastle's 4-3 win over Leeds United back in January, before a foot infection scuppered his hopes of coming back before the season ended.

Since then, the former Deportivo La Coruna defender signed a one year contract extension and spoke about his desire to be ready for the start of the season, but will need to be eased back in after his lengthy spell without playing.

"I'm going to need some time to adapt after being out for such a long period but I feel confident in my body and myself. I'm going to use this pre-season to come back as strongly as possible," he said.

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Joelinton, meanwhile, missed the last couple of games of the season with a thigh injury, having also suffered groin and shin problems during a difficult 2025/26. The medical and rehab staff at Newcastle are making sure he gets a solid bank of fitness behind him before playing in any games.

Miley, meanwhile, was pictured training this week as he continues to return from a broken leg suffered in a freak training ground injury back in April. He hopes to be fit for the start of the new season.

A fourth player, Tino Livramento, has yet to return to the grass after undergoing minor surgery last month. The full-back was ruled out of the World Cup after picking up a calf injury.

The 22 players on show against Darlington will be in contention now to make the short trip over the water on Saturday to face Gateshead at the International Stadium as fans get the chance to have their first look at the team since May.

The squad could also be bolstered by Anthony Elanga, who returned to training at the end of the week following a little bit of time off after his World Cup exploits for Sweden. Elanga had been given scope to report back later than others but still turned up earlier than scheduled as he looks to hit the ground running this season after a difficult first 12 months on Tyneside.

German duo Nick Woltemade and Malick Thiaw are expected back to training this coming week and could also come into contention to play against Gateshead, although it is more likely that the trip to Bristol City will be the date they return to action.