Tickets:
Huddersfield (h) Public sale now
Burnley (h) Public sale now
West Ham (a) ST holder sale now (0pts)
Everton (h) Public sale now (online)
Bournemouth (a) ST holder sale now (100pts)
Arsenal (a) ST holder sale Mon 18.02 (20pts)

Update:
Hold the front page

The latest accolade to come the way of Sean Longstaff is the Young Player of the Month award from Match of the Day Magazine for January 2019.  

The UK’s best-selling football magazine recognised the rapid progress of the 21 year-old Tynesider, whose competitive debut for Newcastle United only came on Boxing Day 2018.

Reacting to the news, Sean said:  

How does it feel to be named Match of the Day's Young Star of the Month?

It's great! The last month or so has been great for me - I've managed to play some games and played at some top grounds, against some top players. 

The lads in the changing room have been great and they've helped me loads, and so have the staff. So as much as it's my award, it's a culmination of a lot of people helping me to get to this stage.

Did you read Match of the Day magazine as a kid and collect Match Attax?

Yeah, definitely - I remember we used to take them into school and swap them so it's funny how it comes full circle and you can get a little bit of recognition from a magazine you used to read since the age of five years old. It's pretty amazing.

And next month you’re being added to the Match Attax trading card collection!

That's pretty crazy! I've pushed on and moved forward a lot, so that'd be pretty cool. My cousin still collects them so I can only imagine what it would be like to see his face if he opened a pack and he saw my face on one of the cards!

Were you annoyed your jink around Virgil van Dijk didn't make the Match of the Day highlights cut after your debut?

(Laughs) A little bit, yeah! We only had a couple of chances in the game so I thought I was definitely going to get on on my debut, but it wasn't to be. But the whole experience of that day, and to be on the pitch with some of those players, was amazing and if that had somehow gone in, it would have just capped off what was a great day for me.

Where will you keep the award?

Me and my brother (Matthew, who plays for Newcastle's under-23s) have a little trophy room where we've got all the trophies from when we were little kids, so it'll probably end up going in that room. My dad (David, who played ice hockey for Great Britain) has some stuff up in that room as well, so hopefully over the years we can add a few more stuff to it.

On sale every Tuesday www.motdmag.com

2018/19:
Un buen entrenamiento*

Newcastle  1  CSKA Moscow  1

Newcastle concluded their Spanish training camp on Saturday with a kickabout at the Pinatar Arena against the side third in the Russian Premier League.

And as was the case when they faced Belgian side Royal Antwerp at the same venue in March 2018, the game ended in a 1-1 draw - although we only played 90 minutes this year, not 135....

22 of United's 25 man squad got what looked like 45 injury-free minutes under their belts, in what was a textbook example of a good workout*.

Lining up in their all blue change kit, there were first starts for Antonio Barecca and Miguel Almiron while Karl Darlow returned from injury for his first game since the early season League Cup loss at Nottingham Forest.

One familiar face in the Moscow lineup was former Hull City forward Abel Hernandez, the Uruguayan in playing the same Tigers side as current Magpies Mo Diame and Isaac Hayden exactly three years ago.

After a forgettable opening, United took a 16th minute lead when DeAndre Yedlin's cross from the right was missed by two CSKA defenders at the back post, allowing Salomon Rondon to chest the ball down and fire home from close range.

The Russians drew level on 40 minutes when Darlow blocked a shot from Fyodor Chalov but was unable to prevent Hernandez from shooting past him when Fernandes played the ball back in from the byline. 

United resumed the second half with an entirely different XI, Paul Dummett returning from injury.

Within three minutes of the restart Rafa's side had a chance to regain their lead when Joselu's run into the box saw him evade the 'keeper before rolling his shot towards goal from a narrow angle, only to be denied by a defender's saving clearance.

A low-key second half almost ended on a high note for United when Yoshinori Muto had sight of goal from inside the box, but Igor Akinfeev made a save.

Thanks to our man in the stand GW.

Team: Darlow (Woodman 46), Yedlin (Manquillo 46), Barreca (Atsu 46), Schar (Fernandez 46), Lascelles (Dummett 46), Lejuene (Longstaff 46), Ki (Hayden 46), Diame (Muto 46), Rondon (Joselu 46), Almiron (Perez 46), Kenedy (Ritchie 46).
Sub n/u: Dubravka

Present but not playing: Clark, Shelvey.

12 of the 22 players used by United here in 2018 were back on show again today; the ten others being messrs Dubravka, Haidara, Mbemba, Clark, Merino, Shelvey, Murphy, Gayle plus reserve duo Nathan Harker and Victor Fernandez.

CSKA: Akinfeev, Fernandes, Becao, Bistrovic, Nababkin, Shchennikov (Oblyakov 46 [Nishimura 85]), Vlasic, Dzagoev (Yefremov 78), Chalov, Hernandez (Sigurdsson 62), Akhmetov.
Subs n/u: Pomazun, Chernov, Bijol, Tikinzyan,  Magnusson.

Traditionally the club of the army, CSKA played their last competitive game in the Champions League back in mid-December.

Arranging a series of friendly matches in Spain to while away the time before their domestic season restarts in March, the game against us was their ninth of ten - they've won seven, drawn two.

Referee: Rafael Sanchez Lopez (Spain)

Crowd: 2,200. 

The admission price of €5 was unchanged and the seating area remained uncovered.

PS: Rafa's lot aren't the first Magpies have played at Pinatar this month - Newcastle midfielder Elliot Anderson part of the Scotland U17 squad who visited for two matches in early February.

Elliot began on the bench for a 0-0 draw with France and was in the starting lineup for a 2-1 victory over Hungary.

Located inside the Central station, our sponsors CentrAle are stockists of Tynt Meadow - the first English certified Trappist beer to be brewed for over a century. 

Another 10 Trappist beers are also lurking on their shelves from Belgium, Holland and the USA.

It's a miracle!

U23s:
Mags march on

Reading U23s  0  Newcastle U23s  2

Newcastle U23s returned to Premier League 2 action on Friday night and did their promotion prospects a power of good with a victory against the Royals.

Playing at the Adams Park home of Wycombe Wanderers, United took an 18th minute lead when home defender Tom Holmes beat Royals 'keeper Jokull Andersson under pressure from Kelland Watts.

The hosts had a late opportunity to level when awarded an 88th minute penalty following a handball, but goalkeeper Nathan Harker was equal to Josh Barrett's effort. 

Having survived that, Ben Dawson's side doubled their lead during second half added time, when substitute Tyrique Bartlett netted from a rebound. 

Three points took United up one place into fourth spot, avenging a 2-4 loss to Reading on Tyneside earlier in the season.

Further details awaited.

Team: Harker, Cass, Watts, M.Longstaff, Bailey, Young, Allan, Sangare (Cumbreras 90+2), Toure (Bartlett 63). Barrett, Longelo. 
Subs n/u:  Huuhtanen, McEntee, 

RFC: Andersson, Balogun, Green, East, Burley, Holmes, Rollinson, Holsgrove (Olise 65), Liddle, Loader, Barrett, Subs n/u: Roberts, Odimayo, Pendlebury.

Referee: Paul Howard

Crowd: 252

PS: The U23s have been drawn away to EvoStik Eastern Division leaders Morpeth Town in the Northumberland Senior Cup Semi-Final. 

A date for that tie is awaited, but it's due to be played at Craik Park on or before Saturday March 2nd. 
 
The other tie sees West Allotment Celtic v North Shields clash at Druid Park on Wednesday February 27th at 7.30pm.

U18s:
Double winners

Wolves U18s  0  Newcastle U18s  1

Having failed to win any of their nine league games since a 1-0 success over Wolves on Tyneside last September, lightning thankfully struck twice for United's U18s in the return fixture on Saturday.

Victory in the West Midlands was ultimately secured by an 11th minute penalty conversion by Joe White.

The home side had the opportunity to draw level just three minutes into the second half when they won a spot kick of their own, only for Dan Langley to save Owen Otasowie's effort. 

The Wolves penalty taker was then promptly red-carded for an illegal challenge, leaving the hosts to play 40 minutes a man short.

The result leaves Newcastle tenth in their 12 team league, level on points with Wolves but trailing them on goal difference (there's no relegation).

Team: Langley, Allen, Swailes, Gamblin, Rounsfell, Anderson, Joyce, Scott, De Bolle (Brannen 19), Stephenson, White.
Subs n/u: Brown, Gilchrist, Carlyon.

Booked: Swailes.

Update:
Derby (Sun)day

If you're after some entertainment today, how about a Tyne-wear derby match? 

The FA Sunday Cup has reached the Quarter Final stage and Burradon & New Fordley FC will host wearside rivals Southwick FC.

That's a 2pm kick-off on Sunday at Amberley Park in Killingworth, postcode is NE12 6SE and admission is £2 for adults, £1 concessions.

Premier League:
Huddersfield Town (h)

Newcastle return to Premier League action at SJP on Saturday when they face the Terriers in an old-fashioned 3pm kick-off. 

Tickets remain on public sale. 

NUFC: To follow

Coral match betting will appear here

HTFC: To follow



The Ware Rooms are at 17 Carliol Square NE1 6UQ - 5 minutes walk from both Monument and Manors Metro.

Loan lads:
Borrowers

Dan Barlaser, Liam Gibson  
(Accrington Stanley) 
Almost a glorious night for Stan on Friday, as they racked up a two goal lead in 55 minutes away to the mackems in League One.

The red and whites clawed back a point as it ended 2-2, but the natives are restless....

Dan played the full 90 minutes while Liam remained on the bench as an unused substitute. 

Jacob Murphy 
(West Bromwich Albion)
Derby delight for the Baggies as they won 2-0 at Aston Villa in the Championship on Saturday. Jacob started the game and was subbed in the 78th minute while Dwight Gayle served the first of a two match suspension for diving.

Jack Colback (Nottingham Forest)
Colback played the full game as it finished goalless at Preston North End in the Championship on Saturday.

Rolando Aarons, Achraf Lazaar 
(Sheffield Wednesday)
An eventful derby game for Wednesday at Rotherham United in the Championship on Saturday as it finished 2-2 with a 99th minute added time equaliser for the Owls followed by a sending off.

Rolando joined the action from the bench in the 75th minute but Achraf remained unused. 

Elias Sorensen (Blackpool)
Blackpool started life after the evil Oystons with a goalless draw at Charlton Athletic in League One on Saturday. Elias wasn't in the squad, despite their bench only having six players (later confirmed as being because they lacked a home-grown player under current EFL rules).

Jamie Sterry (Crewe Alexandra)
Crewe drew 1-1 at Oldham Athletic in League Two on Saturday but Jamie was an unused substitute.

Callum Roberts (Colchester United)
It finished 1-1 at Macclesfield Town in League Two on Saturday with Callum coming on from the bench in the 78th minute after both goals had already been scored.

Josef Yarney (Chesterfield)
Josef played the full game for Chesterfield as they won 1-0 at AFC Fylde in the National League on Saturday.

Henri Saivet (Bursaspor)
Henri played the full game for Bursaspor as they lost 0-2 at home to Rizespor in the Super Lig on Saturday.

Premier League:
More Mo

From The Shields Gazette, Friday:

Mohamed Diame is closing in on a new deal at Newcastle United. The midfielder – who made his comeback from injury in Monday night’s 1-1 draw against Wolverhampton Wanderers – is in the final year of his contract at St James’s Park.

However, the Gazette understands that Diame, signed from Hull City in the summer of 2016 for £4.5million, will trigger a one-year extension to his deal if he plays 25 games for the club this season.

The 31-year-old (he's 32 in June) has made 22 Premier League appearances – 21 starts and one substitute’s appearance – so far this season. Diame, an ever-present in the first half of the campaign, would have already triggered the extension had he not fractured a metatarsal in training early last month.

Update:
Cash and carry

From The Evening Standard, Wednesday:

Deal-hungry Sports Direct tycoon Mike Ashley has borrowed almost £1 billion to help fund his erratic acquisitions spree, despite profits more than halving at his personal investment vehicle.

Mash Holdings entered a new revolving credit facility, which gives it access to £907 million, and “it is likely” this will increase to £1 billion, accounts at Companies House showed on Wednesday.

Mash Holdings controls Ashley’s stakes in Sports Direct and Newcastle United.

The billionaire, who was beaten by a Canadian entrepreneur in a battle to buy music chain HMV from administration last week, will use the extra cash “to seek out profitable investments and development projects”.

How about a football club?

He also pulled out of the bidding for Patisserie Valerie this weekend, just two days after he emerged as a surprise suitor for the collapsed cafés chain.

Pre-tax profits fell from £277 million to £102.5 million for the year to the end of April 2017. The previous year profits halved from £520 million. 

This is down to Newcastle United, which saw turnover shrink 30% from £131 million to £91 million as media revenue fell. United remains up for sale.

That seems like an impossible claim, given that our drop in turnover is vastly inferior to the fall in profits - and only part of it is actual profit.

Sports Direct’s profits were also hit by higher foreign exchange costs.

The accounts, which were lodged six months late, pre-date Sports Direct’s takeover of House of Fraser in August and Evans Cycles in October for £90 million and £8 million, and Ashley adding Sofa.com to his retail empire this month for a “nominal sum”.

Ashley has kept the City guessing over his strategy. Some believe he’s making a concerted effort to take over the High Street, while others believe he’s attempting to make quick profits on opportunistic deals.

The accounts show while Ashley did not take a salary or receive a dividend in 2017, Mash Holdings spent £109 million buying back shares from shareholders. This potentially includes Ashley himself.

Sports Direct posted revenues of £1.7 billion for the 26 weeks to 28 October 2018, up 4.6%. However, underlying pre-tax profits fell 26.8% to £64 million from £88 million.

Ashley could not be reached for comment.

PS: The Northern Echo report that Ashley's MASH Holdings company received £9m for the sale of land for development on Strawberry Place - £3m more than he reportedly paid NUFC for it in 2009/10.

PS: Anyone looking for alternative seats in the Gallowgate End can now buy these direct from NUFC.

Premier League:
More added 
time agony

Wolves  1  Newcastle  1

Match report

Former Magpie:
Carl Wilson RIP

The death of former Magpies striker Carl Wilson has been confirmed, due to cancer. He was 78. 

Born in Lanchester, Carl joined Newcastle from local junior football in February 1958, following in the footsteps of his father Joe, who had played for United between the wars.

What proved to be his sole competitive appearance came in a 0-3 Division One loss at Blackpool the following August, deputising for Len White.

Injuries disrupted Wilson's progress at Gallowgate and he was transferred to Gateshead at a cost of £410 in December 1959.

Later moves took him to Doncaster Rovers and Millwall, before a switch to Dutch side Sparta Rotterdam ahead of the 1962/63 season.

That spell in Holland saw him feature in the UEFA Cup for Sparta, netting a 16 minute treble during a 4-2 success against Swiss side Lausanne Sports in a game played at Feyenoord's De Kuip Stadium.

Carl also appeared for German outfit Schwarz-Weiss Essen before returning to his native County Durham, where he ran a haulage business.

1968/69:
Fairs Cup winners - information request

We're assisting one of our readers with a project related to the 50th anniversary of Newcastle's Fairs Cup Final success later this year - can anyone help with any of these questions please:

1. Did you or someone you know attend the Real Zaragoza away match on New Year's Day 1969?

If anyone can help, please email Matt via:

geordiejjj@hotmail.com

Premier League:
Burnley (h)

There's a quick turnaround for United following next Saturday's home meeting with Huddersfield Town, when Burnley provide the opposition at SJP on Tuesday week (Feb 26th) 

It's an 8pm kickoff live on BT Sport, altered from the original 7.45pm start on the Wednesday.

Tickets remain on public sale. 

NUFC: To follow

Coral match betting will appear here

BFC: To follow

Stats: To follow

Referee: tbc

UK TV: Live on BT Sport

Overseas TV: To follow 

UK Radio: tbc (if any)

Local Radio: Live on BBC Radio Newcastle

Upcoming PL fixtures:

Tue 26.02.2019:
Cardiff City v Everton (7.45pm)
Huddersfield Town v Wolves (7.45pm)
Leicester City v Brighton & Hove Albion (7.45pm)
Newcastle v Burnley (8pm) BT

Wed 27.02.2019:
Arsenal v Bournemouth (7.45pm)
Southampton v Fulham (7.45pm)
Chelsea v Spurs (8pm)
Crystal Palace v Manchester United (8pm)
Liverpool v Watford (8pm)
Man City v West Ham (8pm) BT