Gateshead handed major boost with Newton return ahead of FA Trophy tie

Gateshead manager Alun Armstrong has welcomed Tyrelle Newton’s return to fitness after the former Luton Town youngster made a long-awaited comeback in his side’s FA Cup second round defeat against League Two leaders Walsall.

After going through a carefully managed rehabilitation and recovery process following a knee injury that has meant the versatile midfielder is yet to feature in the National League this season, Newton made a tentative comeback in a National League Cup defeat against Leeds United Under-21s last month. He gained further game-time when he came off the bench to feature in the final quarter of an hour in last weekend’s loss to the Saddlers and will now come into contention for Saturday’s FA Trophy third round home tie with Morecambe.

Armstrong has praised Newton for the attitude he has shown throughout the last four months as he has worked his way back to fitness and revealed the 22-year-old has shown resilience to bounce back from a number of setbacks during that time.

He told The Echo: “It’s brilliant to have him back. We have been so patient with him. The lad has tried so hard to get back but he’s just had setback after setback. We have been saying two weeks and then he’s had another setback. He’s been having injections in his knee to try and get himself through it. We have worked so hard with him. He was so excited to get back out on the pitch and it’s like a new player for me. We know where he can play. I asked him where he wanted to play and he said anywhere. He just wants to get back out on that pitch.”

Positives

Armstrong has also been boosted by the return of striker Dom Telford as he continued to work his way back towards full fitness with a substitute appearance in last weekend’s FA Cup defeat. The experienced frontman will come into contention for a start in Saturday’s Trophy tie - although Armstrong admitted he has been impressed with on-loan Leicester City youngster Kian Pennant and that could mean the versatile forward is handed another chance to shine against Moremambe.

He said: “Dom coming back is a big boost and he didn’t train until Friday but he’s managed to get minutes (against Walsall). I’ve always thought that is where we will get our goals from, when you look at Dom, his positional sense is top draw to be honest. I thought Kian Pennant was superb and he was probably our best player. He affected so much, he’s a great kid and there were positives and we have to take those positives from the game.”

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