Newcastle United news: Pre-season takes shape, Shearer on Townsend snub

The club today confirmed a warm-up game against Dublin side Bohemian next month.

It will follow a week-long training camp in County Kildare.

And reports in Belgium suggest that Newcastle will also take on one-time Intertoto Cup opponents Sporting Lokeren later in their pre-season programme, though there has been no confirmation from either club.

Fans will hope to see Andros Townsend involved against Bohemian.

The winger this week missed out on a place in Roy Hodgson's England squad for 2016.

And former United striker Alan Shearer has given his verdict on Hodgson's decision.

Shearer was speaking at the launch of a charity match to mark the 20th anniversary of the club's 5-0 win over Manchester United.

Meanwhile, Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez has reacted to his loss of his assistant, Fabio Pecchia.

Finally, Georginio Wijnaldum was on target for Holland last night.