Former Liverpool youngster makes shock Newcastle United start v Gateshead as key players absent

Former Liverpool youngster Remi Savage has been handed a surprise start in Newcastle United’s opening pre-season friendly against Gateshead.

The 21-year-old central defender joined two years ago and hadn’t got close to making a first team appearance - until now.

Savage starts alongside the likes of Kieran Trippier and Allan Saint-Maximin, although there are several first-team stars missing for the Magpies.

Eddie Howe is without players on international duty last month, including Sven Botman, Fabian Schar, Joelinton, Anthony Gordon, Callum Wilson, Alexander Isak, Miguel Almiron, Bruno Guimaraes and new signing Sandro Tonali, having only just reported back for pre-season training on Friday.

There was no sign of Joe Willock and Nick Pope as they recover from their respective injuries, while Jacob Murphy and Paul Dummett were also absent.

Under-21s regulars Jordan Hackett, Alex Murphy, Michael Ndiweni, Ben Parkinson and Charlie Wiggett feature on the bench, as does Loris Karius, Mark Gillespie, Harrison Ashby, Joe White, Jay Turner-Cooke and Lewis Miley.

Newcastle United starting XI: Darlow, Trippier, ASM, Ritchie, Lewis, Targett, Manquillo, Anderson, Burn, Longstaff. Subs: Karius, Gillespie, Ashby, Turner-Cooke, Hackett, A. Murphy, Ndiweni, Parkinson, Wiggett, L.Miley.