Will Osula could be in line to take on penalty duties for Newcastle United next season after scoring from the spot in the club's 3-0 pre-season win over Darlington. The behind-closed-doors friendly at the KNOX training centre saw goals from Joe Willock, Osula and Sean Neave, with Eddie Howe fielding two separate XIs and several academy players.
Osula's penalty and the club's need
Osula tucked home his penalty after Willock was fouled by Darlington defender Ben Hedley. The goal may have staked his claim for the role following the sale of Anthony Gordon to Barcelona. Gordon succeeded Alexander Isak as Newcastle's chief penalty taker last summer and scored nine from nine last season.
United had three more penalties last term when Gordon was not on the pitch. Bruno Guimaraes scored both his efforts from 12 yards, and Nick Woltemade dispatched his penalty against Nottingham Forest in October. However, both players missed important penalty kicks during the World Cup knockout rounds for their countries, casting doubt on their future as regular takers.
Howe's praise for Osula
Speaking about the 22-year-old in May, Howe said: "Will Osula has really grown and flowered late into the season and has done really well in recent games. He has really rich potential. He's outstandingly quick, powerful, can score goals off both feet, he's good in the air."
Howe added: "He has a real array of different scoring techniques he can use. He's really willing to learn and improve, I really love that about him. From day one here he's put a lot of work in. He really has. He's very committed to that process."
Osula ended the season as Newcastle's first-choice striker ahead of Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, putting him in pole position for penalty duties.
