‘A threat’ - Southampton manager drops selection hint before Newcastle United opener

Russell Martin has suggested Southampton will play a similar team against Newcastle United to the one that drew 0-0 with Getafe on Saturday.

The Saints prepared for their Premier League return by hosting the La Liga outfit to a goalless draw. Just days earlier, they welcomed Lazio to St Mary’s, drawing 1-1 to provide another stern test before their trip to Tyneside.

Kyle Walker-Peters - subject to transfer interest from former club Tottenham Hotspur - made his first pre-season appearance, returning to the side at left wing-back. New arrival Yukinari Sugawara started on the opposite flank to give Martin’s men width in their unconventional 3-4-3 system.

Newcastle academy product Adam Armstrong led the line and will be looking to make his mark on the top flight after netting 24 times last season. Southampton have not won at St James’ Park since January 2015 - a run stretching eight games.

But Saints boss Martin is aiming to stun Eddie Howe’s men on the opening day of the season - and hinted at Saturday’s line-up starting again this weekend. He told reporters: “I don’t know because not everyone might be here. We might add one or two to the group. 

“But usually the last weekend is a good indicator, I’m sure. I think we have a lot of flexibility and we changed shape for the last 20-odd minutes. We looked a bit more of a threat. 

“So it’s about balancing that out and seeing what we want to do and what’s best for Newcastle. We’ve had an idea in our mind for a while and we haven’t wanted to show all our cards in pre-season. So yeah, we’ll see.”