KARL DARLOW returned to action with a clean sheet as Newcastle United’s development team ground out a goalless draw with West Brom this afternoon.

Darlow has been sidelined with an ankle injury for the last two months, but having returned to training last week, the 25-year-old played the full 90 minutes today and could replace Freddie Woodman on the substitutes’ bench for Saturday’s first-team game at Crystal Palace.

The shot-stopper was not the only senior player on display today, with Peter Beardsley also naming Jamaal Lascelles, Yoan Gouffran and Siem de Jong in his starting line-up.

Gouffran played in a deep-lying central midfield role, which is something he could reprise at Selhurst Park this weekend if Cheick Tiote joins Jack Colback on the injury list.

De Jong went close for Newcastle with an early volley, but the best chance went begging in the 83rd minute as Owen Gallacher failed to make a strong connection as he broke free through the middle, enabling West Brom goalkeeper Alex Palmer to claim the ball.

Newcastle: Darlow, Sterry, Laidler, Williams (Gallacher 70), Lascelles, Satka, Barlaser, Gouffran, McNall, de Jong, Smith.