PREVIEW: Newcastle United U23s v Burnley U23s

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Stone wants hard work to pay off as young Clarets face variety of tests

2021-02-01T07:46:00.000Z

PREVIEW: Newcastle United U23s v Burnley U23s

Stone wants hard work to pay off as young Clarets face variety of tests

2021-02-01T07:46:00.000Z

Boss Steve Stone delighted with application as Clarets keep play-off hopes alive

The Under-23s will be looking to beat the weather and add to their points tally in Premier League 2 when they go to Newcastle United this afternoon (Monday).

The Clarets were frozen off at Sunderland a week ago as they hoped to build on their goalless draw with Wolves last time out.

But Steve Stone has kept his players active with a training-ground game against League of Wales side New Saints last Friday afternoon.

And Stone explained his desire to test his players at various levels in the second half of the season.

“We have four games in this little spell which will give the players different challenges,” said the U23s’ boss.

PREVIEW: Newcastle United U23s v Burnley U23s - Image 1

“We had a good game against New Saints, we’re going to Newcastle for a league game we want to do well in and then we’re going to Liverpool, who play at a level above us, on Friday.

“It’s then Stoke in the league, so we are facing different types of opposition who will test us in different ways.

“That’s what I want. I want to play lots of games now. We’ve had a lot of time telling and teaching the players about what we want to do and that’s what I want to see them doing stevenow.”

The Clarets beat New Saints 1-0 with a goal from defender Richard Nartey, who was part of the first-team squad at Chelsea on Sunday but is expected to face Newcastle at their Academy training ground (KO 1pm).

Newcastle are currently bottom of the second division table, with Tyneside-born Stone going back to face the club where he spent a lengthy spell on the coaching staff with his side sitting two places above following a run of just one defeat in seven games.

Live up-dates of the game will be available on Twitter via @ClaretsAcademy