Former Newcastle United and Sunderland youngsters assessed by South Shields in Blyth Town win | OneFootball

Two former Newcastle United and Sunderland academy players featured for South Shields in a pre-season win at Blyth Town. According to Sunderland Echo, the Mariners assessed goalkeeper Will Anderson and midfielder Marshall Burke as preparations for the National League North campaign continue.

Mike Williamson has moved to bolster his squad, adding The New Saints left-back Jordan Marshall, midfielders Khanya Lashabela and Toby Onanaye, and former Woking striker Sam Ashford. He also signed Adam Campbell before Friday’s game, having played with him at Newcastle and later recruited him for Gateshead’s National League title win four years ago.

The departures of Martin Smith, Dan Ward and Will Jenkins mean Williamson still has work to do before his first season at Mariners Park. Both Anderson and Burke have trained with South Shields over the past week.

Burke, released by Sunderland a month ago, looked composed in the second half at Gateway Park on his first outing of pre-season. The 21-year-old appeared for the club’s Under-18s and Under-21s in recent seasons, but made only a handful of Under-21 appearances last term as the professional deal he signed in summer 2023 ended.

Anderson, who turns 18 this week, impressed after replacing first-choice Jasper Sheik at the interval. Released by Newcastle last month, the Tyneside-born keeper was a regular for the Under-18s in 2024/25, while nine unused substitute appearances were his closest involvement with the Under-21s.

Source: Sunderland Echo