Newcastle United could receive a timely boost around their first true preseason game as several key first-team players near their return from extended World Cup breaks.
Eddie Howe has been working with a reduced squad during the opening weeks of training, but that is expected to change as the Magpies prepare for Saturday’s friendly against Gateshead.
According to Chronicle Live’s Sean McCormick, the foursome of Yoane Wissa, Malick Thiaw, Bazoumana Toure and Nick Woltemade are all due back in training
after receiving additional time off following their World Cup campaigns, although it’s fair to assume none of them will feature on Saturday.
Sweden international Anthony Elanga returned ahead of schedule, and he should be available to feature against Gateshead this weekend.
Howe outlined the club’s plan for its World Cup players before the end of last season, but he’s yet to speak this summer.
“The World Cup players will get roughly around three weeks off, depending on when they exit the competition,” Howe said then. “We have to make sure the players are in the best physical condition.”
All five aforementioned players were eliminated from the World Cup around three weeks ago, meaning they are expected to rejoin the squad in line with Howe’s original timetable, which is now pretty much confirmed.
Their return will provide a significant lift to the Magpies after Newcastle opened the preseason with a 3-0 behind-closed-doors victory over Darlington while also missing injured quartet Fabian Schar, Joelinton, Lewis Miley and Tino Livramento. Obviously, the summer is not for winning games but rather for building traits, so having as many players around as soon as possible will only mean positive things.
Following Saturday’s meeting with Gateshead, Newcastle will face Bristol City before traveling to La Manga in Spain for a training camp ahead of friendlies against Valencia, Everton, Bayer Leverkusen and Strasbourg as preparations continue for the 2026-27 season.
