Last season, Newcastle left it late to finally find their form, but still managed to avoid relegation with time to spare thanks to an excellent run of results towards the tail-end of the campaign.
Meanwhile, Magpies winger Ryan Fraser is set to be in action at Euro 2020 for Scotland this month, with group stage matches against the Czech Republic, England and Croatia on the horizon. He revealed: “I’ve been training for the last three or four weeks now. It’s not like I’ve not been doing anything.
“People thought I was coming here with no fitness but I’ve been working hard and been keeping in touch with the gaffer so he’s known the ins and out of the last six weeks.
“I am fully fit and I’ll use the next two games to hopefully get minutes in and be ready.”
Elsewhere, football pundit Alex McLeish has urged Newcastle to re-sign former loan star Danny Rose following his release from Spurs, and said: "Rose is a great player. In fact, Newcastle fans actually would love Danny Rose to go back.
“With Danny, it’s like does he love football? He spoke about: ‘I’ll just walk away and retire then,’ last year when he was maybe in the huff a wee bit.
“But what a good player Newcastle would get on a free transfer. Incredible.”
5. Pundit quashes Buendia to Leeds talk
Ex-Leeds midfielder David Norris has claimed rumours linking the club with Norwich's Emi Buendia are wide of the mark, and suggested the club will look elsewhere when looking for Pablo Hernandez's replacement. (Transfer Tavern) Photo: Clive Brunskill
6. Liverpool star out of the Euros
Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold has seen his dreams of playing at Euro 2020 with England shattered, after a scan confirmed he suffered a quad tear against Austria on Wednesday night. He'll be on the sidelines for six weeks, ruling him out of the tournament. (BBC Sport) Photo: Pool
7. Whites linked with Batshuayi
Leeds United are rumoured to be plotting a move for Chelsea's £33m striker Michy Batshuayi, who looks set to leave the club this summer. He's previously impressed on loan for Borussia Dortmund, where he scored seven goals in ten league games. (Telegraph) Photo: Pool
8. Brighton step up chase for Velasco
Brighton are rumoured to have 'doubled' an initial offer for Independiente starlet Alan Velasco up to around £7m, but has seen the bid rejected. The winger has been capped at youth level for Argentina, and is likely to cost closer to £11m. (Sport Witness) Photo: Rodrigo Valle