ISLAM SLIMANI missed out on a first appearance for Newcastle United as Dwight Gayle failed to convert a spot-kick that would have earned a friendly victory over Royal Antwerp.

Gayle saw a penalty saved in the closing stages of the third and final 45-minute period at the Pinatar Arena in Spain, meaning the Magpies had to settle for a 1-1 draw.

Newcastle dominated the occasion and Matt Ritchie put Newcastle ahead in the first half, only for Rafael Benitez to see his players miss a number of good chances at the Algorfa venue.

Ritchie flicked the opening goal over the head of the goalkeeper during the first of three periods, in a game designed that way to enable plenty of game time for both teams involved.

By the time the second period was over Newcastle were still only a goal ahead even though they controlled most of the possession and yet lacked the killer instinct in front of goal.

And despite the introduction of Kenedy, DeAndre Yedlin, Mo Diamé, Ayoze Pérez, Paul Dummett and Gayle for the last 45 minutes there was still no breakthrough.

Youngsters Victor Fernandez and goalkeeper Nathan Harker were also part of the changes at that stage of the friendly.

Despite an encouraging first team appearance from them both, though, Harker was beaten less than 60 seconds after coming on when Aleksander Corryn directed a low effort inside his bottom right hand corer.

Gayle, Fernandez and Diame all had chances saved after that but the best chance arrived when Perez was brought down in the area, and Gayle fluffed his lines.

The result mattered little because it was more about giving the players some match action during a three week break between games building towards the visit of Huddersfield on March 31.

Ideally Slimani would have had some time on the pitch but he was not deemed fit enough again after a late fitness test.

The Algerian, yet to kick a ball for Newcastle since his loan move from Leicester City, is now expected to join up with his country ahead of games with Tanzania and Iran.

Playing for Algeria before making his Magpies debut is hardly ideal but Benitez, who claims he can do nothing about it anyway, is ready to give it the go-ahead if he can prove his fitness.

The Newcastle manager feels that, with a comeback close, working on his fitness and getting some minutes under his belt if he can manage could prove beneficial if he is available to face the Terriers.

Newcastle are now four points clear of the relegation zone in 13th place with eight matches remaining. The visit of Huddersfield is another potentially pivotal game in the battle to stay up.

Newcastle: Dúbravka (Harker 90); Manquillo (Yedlin 90), Mbemba (Lascelles 46), Lejeune (Clark 46), Haïdara (Dummett 90); Ritchie (Kenedy 90), Shelvey (Hayden 46), Merino (Diamé 90), Murphy (Fernández 90); Atsu (Pérez 90), Joselu (Gayle 90).