Lewis Miley of Newcastle United
Lewis Miley has a big future at Newcastle United
The summer transfer window brings with it a focus on new players arriving at Newcastle United - or the lack of them so far. The Magpies are yet to add to their first-team squad - bar young Spanish forward Antonio Cordero - although they remain confident of landing key targets before the action resumes.
But for several players already at St James' Park, this summer and the season to come represents a huge opportunity to underline how important they can be to Eddie Howe and Co.
Some could be playing for their futures, others to remind Howe, if necessary, of their value to his first-team. Newcastle have a challenging campaign ahead, with at least eight Champions League games to add to their schedule, and Howe will need a robust squad to deal with the demands.
Each season brings something of a clean slate, and amid all the transfer talk, these familiar faces will be hoping for a big role in the coming months.
Lewis Miley
The talented midfielder had something of a frustrating season, with injuries curbing his first-team chances for the first half of the campaign. He then struggled to get the gametime he craved, but there can be no doubt that Howe highly rates the 19-year-old.
After impressing with some mature performance in the 2023-24 campaign, Miley will have an important part to play again. It may be tough to break into the midfield with Sandro Tonali, Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes on top form, but United cannot rely on the trio all next season.
Once he recovers from the groin injury which has ruled him out of England Under-19s European Championships, he must show Howe he's ready to step into the first team for some big challenges ahead. Few expect him to do anything but shine.
Anthony Gordon
The England winger is already an established first-team star, of course, and this time last season he was the main man in many ways. However, while he was in scintilating form over the winter months, he may have been frustrated by his contribution at the end of the campaign, which was disrupted by suspension and injury.
Gordon is a matchwinner, pure and simple, but you could argue Harvey Barnes took his chance when the ex-Everton man was suspended and stayed in the side on his return. It would do him and United no harm at all if can underline his qualities with some eye-catching pre-season displays.
William Osula (L) and Anthony Gordon (Image: IAIN BUIST)
Will Osula
It's difficult to know quite what to make of the young forward after a debut season where we didn't see an awful lot of him. Osula scored two very well taken goals in black-and-white and his energy and pace suggest at more to come.
He has impressed for Denmark Under-21s at this summer's European Championships and, given United's need for a back-up option for Alexander Isak, is in pole position to establish himself as a more regular first-team player.
He wants more minutes, naturally, and has the opportunity to show Howe that he's learning under his tutelage.
Jacob Murphy
Surely not after the season he has just had? Well, perhaps not, but there have been more than one comment referencing Miguel Almiron's sensational 2022-23 season and subsequent drop off.
The comparisons are unfair on Murphy who could do little wrong in the past 12 months and will again be an important part of the squad. But with Newcastle's search for a right-side forward seemingly an open secret, he will need to keep himself front and centre of Howe's thinking. He has the shirt, and needs to once again show why he should keep it.
Jacob Murphy
Joe Willock
There has been talk of the ex-Arsenal star leaving Newcastle this summer, with Crystal Palace said to be keen on taking him back to London. Like Miley, it has been hard for Willock to break into the starting XI, and he perhaps was not able to take his chance when Joelinton missed the final weeks through injury.
He would need to be replaced if he did leave, so it would be preferable if he could have an injury-free spell and show he is back to his best form. There is still a place for an in-form Willock in this squad.
Sean Neave
This could be an exciting time for the young striker. He has been around the first-team squad for some months, but is yet to make his debut.
Newcastle need new goalscoring options and it is a difficult task to find suitable transfers when everyone knows Isak will be the main man. There is where Neave can come in, like Osula, and he will be given a chance to pre-season to give showcase his talents.
He's admired behind the scenes, and even if a loan move is the best option, he must show continued progress.
Leo Shahar and Sean Neave
Leo Shahar
There is a lot of positive talk about the young full-back and this could be an interesting season for the 18-year-old. It's not clear where Kieran Trippier will be playing his football next term, although Howe would like it to at Newcastle, so Shahar could take yet take a step up the ladder.
As with other areas on the pitch, the workload must be shared out next term, and he has the chance to prove he's a realiable alternative to Tino Livramento on the right-hand side of United's defence.