Newcastle United’s Will Osula and Sven Botman sat out the friendly draw with Gateshead due to minor injuries, but both are expected to return for next week’s trip to La Manga. The Magpies’ 1-1 stalemate at Gateshead saw the National League side, who finished 18th last season with 50 points, hold their own against Premier League opposition.
What happened in the Gateshead friendly?
Newcastle’s pre-season clash with Gateshead ended 1-1, with Ben Williams’ own goal salvaging a draw for Eddie Howe’s side. The match was notable for the absences of Osula and Botman, who were sidelined by a groin issue and a facial knock, respectively. Joelinton also missed the game, though Howe expects most of his squad to be fit for Spain.
Why it matters for Gateshead
Gateshead, who ended last season 18th in the National League with 50 points (14W-8D-24L), showed resilience against Premier League opposition. Their recent form-one win in five (LLLLW)-highlights their struggle, but holding Newcastle to a draw offers a morale boost ahead of the new campaign.
What comes next for Newcastle?
Howe confirmed that Osula and Botman should be fit for La Manga, with only Tino Livramento likely to miss out. Lewis Miley, recovering from a broken fibula, is set for a key role this season. Newcastle’s focus now shifts to Spain, where they’ll fine-tune ahead of the Premier League kickoff.
Gateshead’s last result, a 3-1 loss to Altrincham on April 25, 2026, underscores their need for improvement, but the friendly against Newcastle provides a rare test against elite competition.
