Coach looks ahead to a tough clash...
Tonight’s pre-season encounter with the Gibraltar national team will provide a stern mental test for the Magpies, says coach Colin Lee.
The squad is currently on day three of the Spanish training camp and the fixture will provide the first of two overseas challenges.
A number of trialists will be included in the squad for this evening’s game, with several first team players set to be rested due to the 3G pitch.
“I think it’s going to be a difficult exercise because of the surface, it’s a synthetic surface so that’ll be a tester in itself,” Lee told Magpie Player.
“I was honest, I think yes we want to play, we want to see some of the things coming out but I think the psychological barrier is going to be a big one.
“Players don’t like playing on that type of surface but having said that, the type of training we’re asking them to do, it could be a good exercise for us.
“I think they’re a good team and it’s going to be a difficult game.
“There will be certain players that won’t play in that game and that’s some of our regular players, simply because we don’t want to take that risk.
“It’s not really about the result, it’s about getting players fit, it’s about looking at performance levels in certain areas.
“It’s a game that we’re looking forward to and it’s something different for the players to deal with and let’s hope that we can get the result, but that’s not about the be all and end all.”
For the latest updates from the training camp, sign in to Magpie Player.