Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe hands pre-season chance to former non-league striker

Former non-league striker Isaac Westendorf has started pre-season rubbing shoulders with senior stars like Callum Wilson and Allan Saint-Maximin. Westendorf has seemingly been promoted to the seniors after some impressive displays for the second string last term.

Eddie Howe's senior squad returned for pre-season training after a summer break on Friday ahead of a summer schedule that will include stops in Austria and Portugal. The Toon boss always hinted he would take the opportunity to look at some of those pushing towards the senior roster.

The 20-year-old signed a professional deal with the Magpies last season after a successful trial after spending part of his early career with Barking of the Isthmian League North Division in the eighth tier of English football. Westendorf netted five goals in 11 matches in Premier League 2 last season.

Westendorf was in the line for medical testing as Newcastle returned for pre-season and prepared with senior colleagues at Benton on Friday morning. Whether he features in next weekend's leg loosener against Gateshead remains to be seen in the behind closed doors fixture.

The club's Under-21 squad - led by Elliott Dickman again this season - will fly over for a week long training camp in Spain later this month. Westendorf and other fringe players could end up on the plane to Austria for Newcastle's summer boot camp with games against 1860 Munich and Mainz 05 set to round off an intense week.

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