Matthias Jaissle has acknowledged that Newcastle United require further strengthening, both on the pitch and in the transfer market, after his side suffered a 3-1 defeat against Everton in a pre-season friendly at Murrayfield on Wednesday.

The result came barely a week and a half before the Premier League campaign begins, offering the new head coach a sharp reminder of the challenges ahead. "You all see the matches," Jaissle said. "You are also smart enough to see the needs in the squad. We are aware of what we need. Let's see now. There is still some time."

A bright start undone

Newcastle showed early promise, with new signing Bazoumana Toure causing problems on the left with his pace, but an inability to convert chances proved costly. Everton took the lead in the 27th minute when Thierno Barry exploited uncertainty between Sven Botman and Lewis Hall, with Harrison Armstrong picking out Barry to finish inside the box.

Iliman Ndiaye then doubled the advantage from the penalty spot after Joelinton was penalised for a foul on Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, and Tyrique George made it 3-0 with a drilled finish in the 73rd minute. Substitute Harvey Barnes pulled one back late on, slamming home from Jacob Murphy's cross at the back post.

A young squad and a notable vacuum

Eight of Newcastle's starters were aged 25 or under, with captain Joelinton and Yoane Wissa the eldest at 29. The starting line-up reflected a significant summer of change at the club following the departures of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon, and Kieran Trippier.

Jaissle used the word "vacuum" for the second time in as many days to describe the gaps left by those exits. "It's a really young team at the moment so there are vacuums where players need to step up," he said. "We fill these positions we lost with the experienced players, but that's also the process."

Sporting director Ross Wilson was among those watching from the stands at Murrayfield. Newcastle are understood to be in the market for a right-back and an experienced central midfielder before the transfer window closes on 1 September, with a further addition also possible.

Key players Dan Burn, Lewis Miley, and Tino Livramento are expected to return to the squad, though all three are unlikely to be available for the season opener against Liverpool at St James' Park next week.

"If you make new signings at the end of the transfer window, they usually need time to adapt to the Premier League," Jaissle added. "We are all still positive. We all want to go in the right direction. There are many stones along the way thrown in that path, but we need to get rid of them."