Miles Starforth's pre-season tour diary: A glimpse behind the scenes at Newcastle's base in Braga

The defender – who had a loan spell at Crewe Alexandra last season – is keen to impress Rafa Benitez this pre-season.

Sterry was one of four players to speak to the media yesterday at the club’s base in Braga.

The 22-year-old loves a tackle, and he had left Christian Atsu in a heap a couple of hours earlier.

Sterry wasn’t alone in putting his foot in on a damp day in Portugal.

The session at Braga’s academy, located next to the two-sided Estadio Municipal de Braga, was competitive.

Dwight Gayle was in the thick of it as speculation intensified about his Newcastle future.

The striker appealed decisions and, cheered on by his team-mates, took part in a shooting drill at the end of the session.

Gayle didn’t get off the bench at the Estadio do Dragao on Saturday night.

Gayle, it’s clear, loves playing for United.

Speaking in Ireland earlier this month, he said: “If the gaffer’s happy with me, I’m happy at to stay.”

Newcastle manager Benitez was coy when asked about the 27-year-old’s future after the club’s 0-0 draw against Porto, the Primeira Liga champions.

And we’ll have to wait and see if he gets on to the pitch against Braga.