Look Hughs watching you, boys

Nov 11 2009 by Lee Ryder, The Journal

TOON BOSS Chris Hughton will be in the crowd tonight to run the rule over Nile Ranger, with the teenage Newcastle United star handed a start in a reserve team clash with Leeds United in York.

The encounter at KitKat Crescent will also see Kazenga LuaLua in second string chief Alan Thompson’s line-up in the Totesport.com Reserve League Northern Division match tonight (7.00).

Ranger has been a popular figure amongst United fans in recent weeks and has made four starts and 11 sub appearances so far this season.

Hughton said today: “I’ll in York tonight and we’ll be having a look over the likes of Nile and Kaz.

“It’s a chance for them to have a run out during the international break.”

United will also field first team fringe players such as defender Ben Tozer and second string captain Ryan Donaldson, both of whom have been involved in the majority of first-team squads in so far this season.

Thommo’s young guns have not played a competitive match for a month and have instead been forced to arrange behind-closed-doors friendlies against SPL giants Celtic and Middlesbrough, which ended in a 3-2 defeat and 1-1 draw respectively.

However, after tonight’s clash at the home of York City they will face a spate of matches before the Christmas break as they return to a one game per week routine.

And the second string will return to duty on Tyneside with a home game next Tuesday night when they host Hartlepool United at Whitley Park (7.00).

The clash with Pools will hand Newcastle the chance to slash the Victoria Park side’s lead at the top of the table, with Thompson’s former club currently in control at the summit.

United lie in seventh place after five matches in the division following their enforced relegation from the FA Premier Reserve League last season due to the first team’s tumble from the top flight.

Thompson’s troops tackle Newcastle Benfield in the second round of the Northumberland Senior Cup on December 1.

And they will complete their busy pre-festive schedule with a trip to Grimsby Town, with a 2pm kick off, a week later.