Ex-Newcastle and Sunderland prospects handed South Shields chance in pre-season win | OneFootball

South Shields are taking a closer look at former Newcastle United goalkeeper Will Anderson and ex-Sunderland midfielder Marshall Burke after the pair featured in a pre-season win at Blyth Town ahead of the National League North season.

According to Sunderland Echo, both came on at half-time during Friday night’s game at Gateway Park and have trained with the Mariners over the last week.

The Mariners have already added The New Saints left-back Jordan Marshall, midfielders Khanya Lashabela and Toby Onanaye, and former Woking striker Sam Ashford. Head coach Mike Williamson also completed the signing of Adam Campbell before the Blyth Town opener, having played alongside him at Newcastle then recruited him for Gateshead’s National League title four years ago.

However, the departures of Martin Smith, Dan Ward and Will Jenkins mean Williamson still has work to do before his first season in charge at Mariners Park.

Burke, 21, looked composed in the second period on his first pre-season outing, one month after Sunderland confirmed his release. He featured across the club’s Under-18s and Under-21s in recent seasons, making only a handful of Under-21 appearances last term as the professional deal he signed in summer 2023 came to an end.

Anderson, who turns 18 this week, produced a solid display after replacing number one Jasper Sheik at the interval. Released by Newcastle last month, he was a regular for their Under-18s in 2024/25, while nine unused substitute appearances were his closest involvement with the Under-21s.

Source: Sunderland Echo