Newcastle United are set to play friendlies against both Lillestrom and Rubin Kazan later this month.

Steven Taylor, Yoan Gouffan, Jamaal Lascelles, Sylvain Marveaux and Karl Darlow all played as Newcastle were beaten 6-0 by Sunderland.

In a surprise move, Newcastle and Sunderland are set to play a ‘friendly’ derby behind closed doors this week.

Newcastle United are sending their young stars to Berwick Rangers for a friendly between Christmas and New Year.

Thursday night saw a young Newcastle team run out 8-1 winners against Ashington.

United have named a 15 man squad for the friendly tonight (Thursday) – Ashington v Newcastle United.

Secret Newcastle v Celtic match to give returning injured a game? United take on a Celtic Under 21 team behind closed doors on Thursday afternoon.

Hatem Ben Arfa was at last allowed onto a football pitch and scored against Queen Of The South in a behind closed doors friendly.

Cheick Tiote is off on his travels again as the Ivory Coast play a friendly against Guinea on Wednesday night. A bit bizarre that meaningless friendlies are being organised only a couple of weeks after the African Cup of Nations ended.