There were two changes from the 2-0 victory at Hull City on Saturday with Joe Willock making his first start since April after recovering from an Achilles injury. Sean Longstaff was the other change as Jamie Miley and Jamal Lewis made way.
Odysseas Vlachodimos, John Ruddy and the returning Miguel Almiron were the only senior players on the bench with the rest filled with youngsters Jamie Miley, Jay Turner-Cooke, Cathal Heffernan, Ben Parkinson, Alfie Harrison and Trevan Sanusi.
That meant there was no place for the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Fabian Schar, Martin Dubravka and summer signing Lloyd Kelly.
Howe named a 29-man squad for the trip to Toyko. Here’s the nine players that didn’t feature against Urawa - and why:
Konnichiwa! Newcastle United are in Japan - and so too are NewcastleWorld
Our Newcastle United writer Jordan Cronin is there all week, providing coverage of the tour, behind the scenes video and analysis from Tokyo.
Eddie Howe's men take on Urawa Red Diamonds at the Saitama Stadium on Wednesday, July 31. They then face J.League runners-up Yokohama F. Marinos on Saturday, August 3.
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1. Martin Dubravka
The Slovakian has only just returned from his extended time off. Likely to be involved vs Yokohama on Saturday instead. | Getty Images
2. Harrison Ashby
Ashby is yet to feature for Newcastle in pre-season. The right-back struggled with a hamstring injury last season. | Getty Images
3. Mark Gillespie
Gillespie is the Magpies' fifth choice goalkeeper as things stands so game time for those in front of him in the pecking order is prioritised. | Getty Images
4. Lloyd Kelly
Kelly is yet to make his Newcastle debut since arriving on a free transfer from AFC Bournemouth. Howe hinted this week that the defender would be involved vs Yokohama on Saturday. | Getty Images