The 13 Newcastle United players who must impress Eddie Howe in Portugal – five that already have
Newcastle United’s squad are currently out in Portugal for their second tour of pre-season.
Newcastle will face Benfica at Estadio da Luz on Tuesday night (8pm kick-off) for what is set to be their toughest test of pre-season so far.
In total, 24 players were involved in the training matches against Burnley on Saturday including Matty Bondswell and Santiago Munoz.
Under-21s players Jay Turner-Cooke and Alex Murphy have also made the journey to Portugal but aren’t expected to feature.
In terms of first team players, Martin Dubravka, Chris Wood, Jamal Lewis, Fabian Schar, Federico Fernandez and Kell Watts all missed the training session with Burnley and it remains to be seen whether they will be involved against Benfica on Tuesday night.
Several players are facing uncertain futures at Newcastle this summer and will be keen to impress while away this pre-season.
For others, it’s about securing a place in the starting line-up for the opening day of the Premier League season against Nottingham Forest on August 6.
Every player will want to make an impact in pre-season ahead of an important campaign for Newcastle. But there are some whose future or place in the side could be dictated by the impact they make this July.
After facing Benfica, The Magpies will return to the North East to host Atalanta and Athletic Bilbao at St James’s Park on July 29 and July 30 respectively.
Under-21s players Jay Turner-Cooke and Alex Murphy have also made the journey to Portugal but aren’t expected to feature.
5. Dan Burn - a point to prove
Dan Burn has been a sensation ever since he arrived from Brighton & Hove Albion back in January. But the recent arrival of Sven Botman, another left-footed centre-back, puts his previously solid position in the starting line-up under some threat. He will have to perform in order for him to guarantee a start on August 6. Photo: Mike Hewitt
6. Jamaal Lascelles - a point to prove
The Newcastle skipper has fallen down the defensive pecking order at Newcastle following the arrivals of Dan Burn, Sven Botman and the form of Fabian Schar. He will have to play a different role in the side this coming season but pre-season has given him a chance to prove his worth to Eddie Howe. Photo: Stu Forster
7. Federico Fernandez - a point to prove
The 33-year-old is out of contract next summer and is likely to leave Newcastle this transfer window. But Howe taking him to Austria and Portugal provides hope that Fernandez could have a role to play at the club over the coming season. But he has to get out on the pitch.
8. Jamal Lewis - a point to prove
Left out of Newcastle’s squad for the second half of last season and yet to feature in pre-season. The inclusion of Under-21s left-back Matty Bondswell in Portugal is telling, but Lewis needs to get some minutes or else he risks another difficult season.