Newcastle United is back in training in anticipation of its away FA Cup third round match against Sunderland on Saturday (kick off 12:45pm).
With Newcastle hoping to defeat Sunderland for the first time since 2011, it’s the first Tyne-Wear derby in nearly eight years. Although the Black Cats have won their previous nine derbies, a lot has happened since then, not the least of which is the league position of both teams.
These days, there might be a gap between the two, but history has shown that form often disappears in these kinds of matches. And considering Newcastle has dropped eight of their last nine games across all competitions, that may be welcome news to them.
However, Eddie Howe’s team is hoping to move over their recent setbacks and resume their campaign at the Stadium of Light.
Howe is expected to field the same lineup that was used in the 4-2 loss to Liverpool on New Year’s Day.However, Kieran Trippier is still doubtful after missing the trip to Anfield due to a groyne injury.During Newcastle’s training gallery release on Thursday, the England international was not visible.
Travis Hernes, a summer acquisition who has impressed for United’s under-18, under-19, and under-21 teams this season, was one player that was signed at Benton.
Logan Figueroa of Liverpool and Newcastle United’s Travis Hernes.
The youthful midfield player was acquired by Newcastle from Shrewsbury Town, a League One team where he began the season with two senior games against both Leeds United and Cheltenham Town.
“Travis is an amazing young man, and everyone at Shrewsbury would like to wish him luck for his move to Newcastle,” stated Micky Moore, director of football, after the team’s August arrival on Tyneside.
“I stated when I joined the squad in the summer that I was committed to laying the groundwork for more of our youth players to advance into the starting lineup.
This season, Travis debuted in the league against Cheltenham and made his Leeds debut in front of 35,000 spectators. For him, those two games were excellent learning opportunities.
“There’s a part of me that wishes Travis had stayed so he could keep improving here and play more for our starting squad.But as a football team, we feel that the agreement we reached with Newcastle is appropriate.
Additionally, since Travis has a great chance with this transfer, we didn’t want to get in the way of him.We shall all be closely monitoring Travis’s career and wishing him the best of luck for the future at the football club.
Hernes joins the ranks of young players who have gained crucial first-team experience this season, following in the footsteps of players like Ben Parkinson, Michael Ndiweni, Alex Murphy, James Huntley, and Adam Harrison, though it is unlikely that he will be named in Newcastle’s squad against Sunderland.
