Newcastle United dealt early pre-season injury blow as duo a doubt for Rangers

Eddie Howe has confirmed Jacob Murphy and Jamaal Lascelles missed Newcastle United’s pre-season opener at Gateshead through injury.

Both players watched on from the Gateshead International Stadium stands as second-half goals from Elliot Anderson, Allan Saint-Maximin and substitute Jay Turner-Cooke saw the Magpies come from 2-0 down.

Howe was forced to name a makeshift starting XI and handed minutes to several under-21s players with those on international duty last month not involved having only reported back for pre-season on Friday.

Murphy and Lascelles also weren’t risk with the pair a doubt ahead of Tuesday night’s visit to Rangers for the Allan McGregor testimonial.

Howe told reporters: “Jacob has a shoulder injury. We don’t think it’s serious, we hope he’ll be back very soon. Jamal has a tight muscle and we hope he’ll be back very soon.”

Meanwhile, United’s head coach provided positive updates on Nick Pope and Joe Willock with both pencilled in for a return during the club’s trip to the USA for the Premier League Summer Series later next week.

Pope underwent hand surgery in the final week of last season, while Willock pulled his hamstring during Newcastle’s penultimate home game against Brighton and Hove Albion.

The 45-year-old said: Nick Pope is doing well. He’s doing light handling now, so he’s made good progress from his finger injury and we hope he’ll back available to play, in and around the America trip, maybe just after.

“Joe Willock is making good progress. He hasn’t trained with us yet but is on track to train with us in America.”

United face Aston Villa, Chelsea and Brighton whilst in the US.