· March 13 2025, 14:30
**Eddie Howe continues to flesh out his first-team squad with youth players in training as Newcastle United prepare for the biggest game of the season on Sunday.**
Newcastle are Wembley-bound this weekend with Liverpool standing between them and the Magpies' first domestic trophy in 70 years.
Spirits appear to be high in the camp if today's [official training ground gallery](https://www.newcastleunited.com/en/news/toon-in-training-wembley-bound) is anything to go by with the official site choosing an image of Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson sharing a laugh as the banner photo.
Kieran Trippier had a good game against West Ham on Monday and we expect him to retain his place on Sunday, but Wilson will likely be on the bench to start with.
Ben Parkinson training with the first-team ahead of Carabao Cup final
Ben Parkinson has been training with the first-team
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Thankfully there appeared to be no notable absentees beyond those we already knew about, however there were a couple of notable inclusions.
While Sean Neave was on the bench on Monday night as Newcastle beat West Ham, it's another young striker who catches the eye in the gallery this week.
Ben Parkinson, who has nine goals and an assist in 14 appearances this season is back with the big boys as Eddie Howe continues to assess his youngsters.
Eddie Howe is keeping a close eye on his youngsters
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Leo Shahar is also once again pictured with the first-team in training, but as yet hasn't popped up on a Newcastle United match day teamsheet.
Newcastle appear to have a few players on the cusp of a first-team breakthrough now, which is fantastic to see after the club's efforts to go around scooping up young talent.
The squad could have an entirely different look next season, especially if Newcastle bag European football, we expect to see a lot of rotation to avoid last season's problems again.