Phillips audition for Postecoglou among five requirements Tottenham need from Newcastle friendly

The 2023/24 season is not over just yet for Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham team. Fresh from beating Sheffield United 3-0 on the final day of the campaign, Spurs are now in Melbourne for a post-season friendly against Newcastle United at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

Returning to Australia after travelling Down Under last summer as part of the club's Asia-Pacific tour, Postecoglou and his players will be looking to sign off for the term with a good showing and win against the Magpies. While it is only a brief visit to Australia for Tottenham, Eddie Howe's Newcastle side are remaining in Melbourne slightly longer and taking on an A-League All Stars side two days later.

Certainly a fixture that has come in for an awful lot of criticism with both sides travelling to the other side of the world for a post-season friendly, what exactly do Postecoglou and Tottenham need to get out of the match? football.london takes a look below.

No injuries

Injuries are the one thing Postecoglou and Tottenham will want to avoid. Many people have already made their feelings quite clear over the fixture in Melbourne and the criticism will only grow louder if a player is to sustain a serious issue.

Five years ago, Ruben Loftus-Cheek ruptured his Achilles tendon in Chelsea's end-of-season friendly against New England Revolution in the United States. It wasn't until February 2020 when he finally returned to the matchday squad after months on the sidelines, with his comeback finally coming in June that year as the coronavirus pandemic had seen sport in the country come to a stop for three months.

With Tottenham set to have players taking part in Euro 2024 and the Copa America this summer, the last thing they will want is to pick up a problem that sees them miss out on representing their country at a major tournament. Fingers crossed all involved come through the Newcastle friendly unscathed and with a clean bill of health.

READ MORE: Reguilon transfer call made, Ndombele absent, Rodon play-off masterclass - Tottenham loan latest

READ MORE: What Radu Dragusin did to anger Sheffield Utd fans as Ange Postecoglou Tottenham issue laid bare

Kulusevski and Scarlett opportunity

Tottenham's lack of a fully-fit out-and-out striker could result in Dejan Kulusevski operating in the middle of their three-man attack against Newcastle. The Swede played in the role against Sheffield United on Sunday and impressed as he notched two goals and caused the home defence a number of problems with his power and hold-up play.

The move from Postecoglou also benefitted Son Heung-min as it allowed him to play from the left following his previous struggles in the middle. Although Tottenham will be expected to bring in a striker in the summer transfer market as they look to find Harry Kane's long-term successor, Kulusevski could well be a possibility in the position for Tottenham next season if Postecoglou has a lack of available options.

The game could also present Dane Scarlett with a chance to play in the role from the first whistle. Following such a frustrating time on loan with Ipswich Town during the first part of the campaign, the youngster played in a handful of games for Spurs in what remained of the season.

Only getting minutes here and there in his Tottenham appearances, a start from the off against Newcastle would really benefit the academy graduate.

More Dragusin minutes

Cristian Romero's absence leaves Postecoglou with a lack of centre-backs for Wednesday's game in Melbourne. As a result of the World Cup winner not travelling Down Under with the rest of his teammates, Micky van de Ven may well move back into the heart of defence after starting the previous two games at left-back.

Radu Dragusin will almost certainly start, thus giving him another chance to catch the eye at centre-back for the Lilywhites. Very impressive in the Man City defeat and also solid in the win at Sheffield United on the final day, the Romanian unfortunately hasn't had a real consistent run in the team following his switch from Genoa but a third successive start for him looks to be on the cards.

Devine and Phillips' return

The Newcastle match will also allow Postecoglou the opportunity to take a closer look at Ashley Phillips and Alfie Devine following their spell with Plymouth Argyle in the Championship. Back training with the Tottenham first team at Hotspur Way following their time in Devon and getting the opportunity to play for the club's Under-21s on Sunday in their late win over Chelsea, the duo could be back in the first XI on Wednesday when the team play at the MCG.

Devine caught the eye for Tottenham in pre-season last summer and he will be intent on doing the same ahead of the 2024/25 campaign. Phillips, on the other hand, didn't feature at all for Spurs in pre-season after his move from Blackburn Rovers was finalised at the beginning of August.

Quite clearly catching the eye of Postecoglou in training as he was named on the bench eight times before moving to Plymouth on loan, Phillips could be in line to be given his first minutes in a Spurs shirt under the head coach.

Playing time for club's youngsters and those on the periphery

Due to the amount of injuries Tottenham are currently dealing with, a number of the club's talented youngsters have been included in the 24-man squad for the game in Melbourne. Rio Kyerematen and Leo Black are with the first team for the very first time, joining fellow academy stars such as George Abbott, Jamie Donley, Tyrese Hall and Yago Santiago in the travelling party.

Such a worthwhile experience for the sextet, they will all have their fingers crossed that they do get some minutes in the tank in Tottenham's friendly against Newcastle. The fixture against Howe's side should hopefully benefit the Spurs players currently on the periphery of Postecoglou's side.

Bryan Gil, Emerson Royal, Oliver Skipp, Alfie Whiteman, Brandon Austin, Devine, Phillips and Scarlett could all certainly do with getting some more game time before the 2023/24 term officially comes to an end for Spurs.

Listen to the latest episode of Gold & Guest Talk Tottenham by clicking here! In depth Spurs chat on your preferred podcast platform.

Want breaking and top Tottenham stories sent straight to you? Join our Spurs WhatsApp community by clicking this link. If you're curious you can check out our privacy policy here.