Newcastle United are in red hot form and first-team places are subsequently in limited supply. It was therefore crucial that fringe players fighting for their future grabbed a rare chance at competitive minutes with both hands when Bromley came to Tyneside over the weekend.

Eddie Howe made wholesale changes for the FA Cup third round clash, opting for nine alterations with only Martin Dubravka and Joelinton retaining their places from the impressive Carabao Cup win over Arsenal days earlier. Kieran Trippier, Lloyd Kelly, Matt Targett, Lewis Miley, Sean Longstaff, Harvey Barnes, Miguel Almiron and Will Osula were all parachuted in from their usual spots on the bench, along with the returning Fabian Schar, but you could argue only a handful took their chances.

The likes of Trippier and Kelly are fully aware that they will earn minutes in their respective positions at various stages of the season due to general rotation and a lack of cover at the back but for many of the other aforementioned stars, the pressure is on to prove they have long-term futures at St James' Park.

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Barnes is a prime example of a player needing a strong performance to remind any doubters that he has a part to play in and around this high-flying side. The winger started the season with such a stellar run in front of goal but Newcastle have won eight from eight with limited input from the man in question thanks to the form of left-sided rival Anthony Gordon.

Barnes was withdrawn at half-time with a slight injury concern after failing to impress during the opening period. Amid lashing a shot over the top and almost putting one on a plate for co-star Osula, the former Leicester man cut the figure of a man going through the motions slightly against lower league opposition.

It must be said Howe still wants Barnes to be a key part of his team; it's no wonder given Newcastle splashed out £39m on his services in the summer of 2023. The player has been one of many linked with a PSR-induced move away from the club and, with starting minutes at a premium of late, Sunday felt like a chance wasted for the forward.

Meanwhile Miguel Almiron, deployed on the opposite flank, gave his all - as always - but failed to unlock a Bromley defence during the 3-1 win. The Paraguayan international is streets behind right-wing rival Jacob Murphy at present after an early season battle for a starting role.

Newcastle's midfield is a peculiar position at present. Howe has six stellar stars at his disposal for three central roles, with Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali finally clicking in the middle of the park.

Miley and Longstaff were both handed rare starts in Sunday's showing and only one managed to grab their opportunity. The former started slow and was at fault for Bromley's surprise opener, losing out in the challenge before Cameron Congreve curled one beyond Dubravka from 25 yards.

However, the 18-year-old soon redeemed himself with a thunderbolt of an equaliser eight minutes later, before going on to enjoy a Man of the Match display in his first competitive start since March 2024. Miley looks more composed and confident on the ball, appears to have grown in stature after work in the gym and effortlessly slotted into the No 6 role that has been so crucial to Newcastle's upturn in form of late.

Longstaff has spent the last few seasons defying the doubters, enjoying regular minutes in Howe's starting XI as Newcastle punched above their weight. Recent weeks have brought an uncharacteristic spell on the bench, with questions lingering over his future and a potential move away from his boyhood club.

For a player who receives more stick than most, usually unfairly, the academy graduate perhaps needed a positive showing more than some of his team-mates.

As for the positives, Osula took his maiden Newcastle goal extremely well to make it seven goals in seven career FA Cup games. You could also point to Targett's exploits in the second-half as the returning left-back won his side a penalty and came close to adding to the scoreline himself.

However, on a day where Howe provided big chances for some of his outcasts to perform, a number of them will no doubt look back at the third round tie as an opportunity missed as they battle for their futures on Tyneside.