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Aarons Backing Magpies In Milk Cup
Written by Newcastle Utd
Rolando Aarons hopes Newcastle can make an impact at this summer's Dale Farm Milk Cup in Northern Ireland
By Dan King - Newcastle United Digital Editor
Rolando Aarons is backing Newcastle United to make an impact at this summer's Dale Farm Milk Cup.
The 19-year-old winger starred for the Magpies in the 2012 Premier final when they lost out to an impressive Desportivo Brasil outfit, and he has never forgotten the experience of playing at the prestigious international youth tournament in Northern Ireland.
Newcastle's youngsters will again be competing this year and many of the teenagers will be hoping to follow in the footsteps of Aarons, who has gone on to make his Barclays Premier League debut and win his first cap for the England under-20 team this term before seeing his progress interrupted by injury in the second half of the campaign.
Several of the players who represented United three years ago, including Adam Armstrong, Freddie Woodman, Lubo Satka and Jamie Sterry, are still with the Club while Adam Campbell won the player of the tournament award.
And Aarons recalled: "It was a special time and we were proud to make the final, especially with our senior manager then, Alan Pardew, taking the time to travel over and watch us against the Brazilians.
"From the excitement of the opening parade right through to our appearance in the final on the Friday night, it was a great week to experience.
"It was a great tournament for me and I know those guys from the Academy will have a great time playing in the Tournament in July."
United's head coach John Carver also knows all about Ulster tournament, which Newcastle won in 1985 and 1989. They have also been beaten finalists twice.
He said: "I have many happy memories of my visits to Northern Ireland when I was an Academy coach.
"The tournament provides a great opportunity for young players to gain an insight into what a professional footballer's life will be like.
"To be together for a week and play against teams from all parts of the world is a great learning experience. I am really pleased that our young guys in the Academy will feature in the Milk Cup again this year."
Dale Farm Milk Cup chairman Victor Leonard said: "Newcastle United have been great supporters over the years and their return in the Premier competition is good news for their many fans in Northern Ireland."
The Dale Farm Milk Cup will begin with the traditional parade of competing teams through Coleraine on Sunday, July 26th, concluding with finals night at Ballymena Showgrounds on Friday, July 31st.