An experience-laden Newcastle Reserves side took on Bolton Wanderers Reserves behind closed doors today. For whatever reason, now was the time that Willie Donachie (and Alan Pardew, surely) decided to blood able-bodied defenders such as Tamas Kadar in order to assess if they might be of use this weekend v. Swansea. Mike Williamson also saw his first match action since August, playing the first 45 minutes before giving way (not for reason of injury, but due to plan). It seems that the overall plan was to run Mike out for a half today, give him a day off and he would join training on Thrusday and Friday. In his brief match report, Lee Ryder was sure to point out that Willio won several headers (why would this be relevant?) but looked a little rusty otherwise, putting the likelihood that we'll see Mike in action this weekend probably significantly below 50/50.

Your Newcastle United Reserves starting lineup:

Elliot, J.Henderson, Ferguson, Abeid (Edmundsson 46), Williamson (Streete 46), Kadar, Richardson, Inman, Dan Taylor, Vuckic, Adjei (Storey 88).

-per the Chronicle

Also of particular note, if you're keeping a score card at home, Bolton player Sam Ricketts was making his return from a ruptured Achilles-- an injury suffered right around 10 months ago. Take that for what it's worth.