The Magpies take on Espanyol and Atletico Madrid at St James' Park this weekend
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Image)
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe could be about to drop a major hint on his strongest XI this weekend, ahead of the Premier League curtain-raiser against Aston Villa.
The Magpies end their pre-season schedule with two game at St James' Park against La Liga opposition, with Espanyol first up on Friday evening followed by Atletico Madrid on Saturday.
It's not been the best of summers in terms of results, not that they matter at this stage, but Howe was pleased by much of the performance in the 1-1 draw with Tottenham in Seoul last Sunday.
It's all about preparation for that clash at Villa Park on August 16, and the challenging season ahead, and this weekend's double header could give major clues over what Howe feels is his best United line-up as thing stand.
He will be hoping for more reinforcements before the transfer window closes on September 1, but time is running out to have any more new faces available for the coming St James' Park games and the first Premier League match.
Any new arrivals will only have a few days of training with their new team-mates if they sign before Villa, and with a long season ahead, Howe will not rush anyone into the side.
As things stand, Anthony Elanga and Aaron Ramsdale are the two first-team signings who can challenge for a place in the starting XI, and it will be interesting to see who starts both games this weekend.
Newcastle could use the matches to give as many players as possible a long run-out, and it's likely to be two very different starting line-ups.
You would expect the side which starts against Atletico to be the one closest to Howe's preferred XI, meaning the teamsheet on Friday night against Espanyol will be very telling.
“We go home better prepared, definitely fitter," Howe said after the two games on South Korea. "I said around the Arsenal game, the two big games coming up for us are the Sela Cup.
"We have to look like ourselves in those games to go into Aston Villa in full confidence.”
All eyes will be on whether Alexander Isak plays any parrt, with the wantaway striker yet to feature in pre-season,
Anthony Gordon lead the line against Spurs, with Will Osula an option, as Newcastle continue to search for a new centre-forward.
Sandro Tonali should be fit to feature over the weekend after a minor knock, while Sven Botman could return after missing the games agains Spurs and the K-League XI.
Joe Willock is ruled out with a calf muscle problem which is likely to keep him on the sidelines until September, while both Elanga ad Ramsdale are set for their first apperances in front of the home fans after signing from Nottingham Forest and Southampton respectively.
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