Gateshead FC Open Day / Squad update
Goals for Brian Wake, Alex Francis and Danish trialist Mark Sundstrup were the highlights of Gateshead's full scale practice game at the International Stadium.
The lowlight was a facial injury to central defender Carl Jones who lay on the pristine pitch for several minutes before being taken to hospital by ambulance.
Of the seven trialists on show former Newcastle United reserves centre back Callum Morris was the pick of the bunch, strong in the air and comfortable in possession.
Morris will train with Gateshead this week along with fellow trialists Sundstrup, young goalkeepers Mark Cook and Jack Binks, Paul Terry and Danish striker Kenneth Djoeneri.
Manager Ian Bogie will give run outs to the majority of the trialists during the games against a Sunderland X1 on Tuesday and a Newcastle United XI on Friday.
Of the practice match Bogie said: "It was a game of football, albeit a low key one on a warm day and it was another opportunity for the lads to get some game time.
"It was also the chance to look at some trialists. Callum Morris stood out at the back, and has the attributes to be a good player.
"He will have to show more aggression in the league we play in but it will be interesting to see him over the next week. I've been impressed with him in training and what I've seen today.
"We'll also take another look at Sundstrup who will train and play for us this week and we'll also have a look at the two young goalkeepers."
Bogie meanwhile again singled out young wide man James Marwood for praise as well as another summer signing, Nathan Fisher.
"The two liveliest players on the pitch were Marwood and Fisher. Marwood was bright again and has a turn of pace while Fisher, though still finding his feet, scored in midweek and had three efforts in 20 minutes when he came on in the second half."
Bogie meanwhile is looking forward to this week's friendlies against Sunderland and Newcastle.
"We've got two good games against Premier League clubs this week on two good surfaces and they will both be good run outs.
"I am still in the market for another four players. I'm making enquiries and receiving details of players on a daily basis so it's a case of watch this space."
Winger Craig Nelthorpe and striker Jon Shaw are both hoping to rejoin training this week though the Sunderland game will come too early for both players.
Goalkeeper Paul Farman's swollen knee will be monitored, the 20 year old having missed out on today's practice game while Bogie expects Jones to make a swift recovery.
"Jonah has a cut mouth but hasn't lost any teeth so I expect he'll be in for training on Monday and available for the Sunderland game."
Gateshead (whites) XI: Cook, Baxter, Jones, Trialist, Heckingbottom (Baptist 45), Brittain, Francis, Ferrell, Marwood, Allan (Gillies 45), Sundstrup
Gateshead (blues) XI: Binks, Trialist (Fisher 45), Clark, Morris, Brown, Little, Turnbull, Gate, Dowson, Wake, Burgess
The goals:
Wake (52m): Stooped to head home a Kris Gate corner in front of the near post, the ball squeezing past goalkeeper and defender on the line.
Francis (55m): Played in by Josh Gillies, Francis made no mistake after he was left with just Jack Binks to beat.
Sundrup (63m): Craig Baxter found Martin Brittain out wide and his cross was headed home at the near post by Mark Sundrup.
