A NEWCASTLE UNITED Under-23s team lacking a number of regular players slumped to a 3-1 defeat at Swansea City.

The Magpies left goalkeeper Rob Elliot, defender Stuart Findlay, midfielders Dan Barlaser and Jamie Holmes, and strikers Luke Charman and Yasin Ben El-Mhanni out of their squad, perhaps providing a hint at to the make-up of the substitutes’ bench for Wednesday’s FA Cup third-round replay with Birmingham.

Newcastle fell behind in the tenth minute as Oli McBurnie opened the scoring, and the Scotland Under-21 international claimed his second goal eight minutes later.

McBurnie hit the crossbar midway through the second half, and completed his hat-trick at the start of the second half as he converted from the penalty spot following a foul on Alex Bray.

Newcastle claimed a consolation with eight minutes left as Tom Heardman slotted past Gregor Zabret to claim his seventh reserves goal of the season.

Newcastle: Harker, Newberry, Wilson, Hunter, Bailey, Good, Gallacher, Ward, Heardman, L Smith, C Smith.