Former Newcastle United and Sunderland youngsters handed South Shields opportunity in pre-season win | OneFootball

South Shields are assessing two former Newcastle United and Sunderland academy players after both featured in a pre-season win at Blyth Town.

According to Sunderland Echo, ex-Newcastle goalkeeper Will Anderson and former Sunderland midfielder Marshall Burke were introduced after the interval and have trained with the squad this week.

Head coach Mike Williamson has already added left-back Jordan Marshall from The New Saints, midfielders Khanya Lashabela and Toby Onanaye, and former Woking striker Sam Ashford. He also completed a deal to sign Adam Campbell before Friday night’s opening friendly at Northern League side Blyth Town. Williamson played alongside Campbell at Newcastle, then signed him for Gateshead’s National League title winners four years ago.

Departures for Martin Smith, Dan Ward and Will Jenkins mean Williamson still has work to do before his first season at Mariners Park.

Burke, 21, looked composed throughout the second half at Gateway Park, a month to the day after Sunderland confirmed his release. He featured for the Under-18s and Under-21s in recent seasons, making only a handful of outings for the latter last term as the professional contract he signed in summer 2023 expired.

Anderson, who turns 18 this week, delivered a steady performance after replacing Jasper Sheik. Released by Newcastle last month, the Tyneside-born keeper was a regular for the Under-18s in 2024/25 and made nine unused substitute appearances for the Under-21s.

Source: Sunderland Echo