Yankuba Minteh (Gambia):
11.06.2024 Gabon (a) lost 2-3 WCQ
A sixth senior international cap and a third goal for the Magpie, heading home after 33 minutes to give his side an interval lead in Franceville. 

A floodlight malfunction saw the second half delayed, Gabon regaining the initiative with three goals in 20 minutes before Gambia made it 2-3 late on.

Minteh completed the full game on the eve of the first anniversary of his signing for Newcastle.

See his goal v Gabon online here

08.06.2024 Seychelles (h) won 5-1  WCQ
Minteh started in Berkane and scored his side's third goal. He was subbed off in the 79th minute.

See his goal v Seychelles online here 

Engineering feet....:
Sock offer 
 

Newcastle-based Sock Council offer free UK shipping when three or more pairs of their NUFC-inspired sock range online here are purchased this week.

To qualify for free UK shipping, a minimum of three pairs from that range must be ordered together to the same delivery address. Add code DOTCOM at checkout to activate the deal, which runs until this coming Sunday, June 16th.

We had three pairs of socks up for grabs and asked you to name the former Magpie whose father guided Bromley into the Football League last season.

Most folks knew that it was Freddie Woodman's dad, Andy, and the prize goes to Chris Spedding.

Ex-Mags:
U's acquire Watts

League One Cambridge United have completed the free transfer signing of Kelland Watts after the defender's long association with Newcastle United ended.

Now 24, Kell joined the Magpies back in 2008 and played at Academy and reserve level, belatedly making his competitive senior bow for the club against Liverpool in the Premier League during 2020.

A succession of EFL loans meanwhile saw him rack up 140 league and cup games for Stevenage, Mansfield Town, Plymouth Argyle, Wigan Athletic (twice) and Peterborough United. 

Watts is the second recently-released Magpie to have found a new club after Dylan Stephenson joined National League side Dagenham & Redbridge.

The 21 year-old forward spent the second half of last season on loan at National League North side South Shields, following a temporary posting to Scottish Championship side Hamilton Academical in 2023.

Appearing for United in first team team friendlies without making a senior competitive bow, Stephenson has also agreed a two year deal at the Daggers.

PS: Following his exit from SJP, goalkeeper Jude Smith has joined League Two Carlisle United on a two year contract.

Update:
Exit looms for
Wembley winner

As anticipated, Premier League-bound Southampton are looking to conclude the permanent transfer of Ryan Fraser from Newcastle, following his successful loan spell at St. Mary's Stadium last season. 

The 30 year-old former Scottish international is in the final year of his contract at SJP, playing 44 times and scoring eight goals last season in league and cups as the Saints won the Championship playoff final.

The departure of fellow midfield discard Isaac Hayden from Gallowgate is also nearing, with the 29 year-old expected to reach a financial settlement on the remaining two years of his Magpies deal.

Spending the latter part of last season at QPR, he's keen on remaining at Loftus Road, although the subject of interest from other second tier clubs.

PS: As expected, full back Jamal Lewis failed to see his loan move to Watford convert into a permanent switch and will return to Gallowgate with 12 months left on his Newcastle contract.

Update:
'Keeper claims grow

The anticipated departure of Martin Dubravka and confirmed exit of Loris Karius this summer has brought renewed speculation over who will be signed to vie with Nick Pope as Newcastle's first-choice goalkeeper.

The current name in the frame is James Trafford, the 21 year-old, 6 foot 6 inch custodian who has just endured a maiden Premier League campaign at Burnley and is reportedly the subject of a £16m bid.

Trafford is predicted to be the latest player to follow a well-trodden path from Turf Moor to St. James' Park - following Jeff Hendrick, Chris Wood and Nick Pope from the Clarets to the Magpies in recent seasons.

The Cockermouth-born player joined Manchester City as a youngster in 2015, making his senior competitive debut on loan to Accrington Stanley in August 2021.

An 18 month loan to Bolton Wanderers followed, returning to Burnley last summer fresh from European U21 Championship victory with England alongside current Magpie Anthony Gordon.

Making a £19m switch from City to Burnley ahead of their Premier League return, he made the last of his 28 top-flight appearances for them in March.

A similar fee is claimed to be under discussion with Newcastle at present, with an unspecified percentage payable to Manchester City due to a sell-on clause.

2024/25:
New kit launches

Fourteen years after their last stint as kit provider ended, adidas have partnered with Newcastle United again, with this new home shirt unveiled:

Fans queued from the early hours at the temporary club shop on Strawberry Place which opened at 8am.

Adult replica shirts retail at £80, with the "pro" version coming in at £110. Junior size replicas are £55.

Buy shirts etc. from JD Sports online here

strip launch video is online here

Internationals:
Tripp advisor

Magpies full back Kieran Trippier is the latest guest of Gary Neville on his Overlap series, answering various questions about his life and career: 

Watch that online here

Nippon:
Hong Kong gardener

Ahead of United's first games there in almost 30 years, NUFC.com's Japan correspondent Simon Moran continues his reports with a prologue of sorts:

online here

2024/25:
Mariners v Magpies

National League North side South Shields will host Newcastle's U21 side in a pre-season friendly at their 1st Cloud Arena (Mariners Park) on Sunday August 4th. 

It's a 1pm kick-off and standing tickets are on sale now at £10 adults, £7 concessions and £3 for U18s here.

The Mariners boss is former Magpies U21 coach, Elliott Dickman.

Old boys:
Unlikely lads

SJP old boys with new clubs/jobs include:

Craig Bellamy (Burnley Interim Manager)
Luke Charman (Hartlepool United)
Stephen Clemence (Barrow Head Coach)
Dan Gosling (Westfield)
Jack Hunter (Hartlepool United)
Dan Langley (Morpeth Town)
Michael Newberry (Cliftonville)
Ben Pollock (Chester)
Dylan Stephenson (Dagenham & Redbridge)
Jude Smith (Carlisle United)
Ben Tozer (Forest Green Rovers)
Kell Watts (Cambridge United)

Ex-Magpies looking for new clubs include:

Mehdi Abeid (Istanbul Basaksehir)
Chris Basham (Sheffield United)
Ciaran Clark (Stoke City) 
Ryan Donaldson (Morpeth Town)
Shane Ferguson (Rotherham United)
Dwight Gayle (Derby County)
Paul Huntington (Carlisle United)
Kazenga LuaLua (Charlton Athletic)
Jonathan Mitchell (Harrogate Town)

Josef Yarney (Tranmere Rovers)

Off-field departures include:

Habib Beye (Red Star Paris)
Emre (Ankaragucu)
Steve Guppy (Nashville SC)
Kevin Nolan (West Ham)