Eddie Howe provides Harvey Barnes fitness update after Newcastle United brace

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe expressed his delight at Harvey Barnes’ performance against Villarreal.

The £38million summer signing from Leicester City marked his St James’ Park debut with a brace as the Magpies ended pre-season by lifting the Sela Cup.

United won 4-0 with both of Barnes’ goals coming in the second half as he linked up with Joelinton and Callum Wilson, respectively.

“He’s made a really good first impression today,” said Howe. “I think that’s Harvey in a nutshell - he’s quick, positive and he scores goals. His two finishes were very good. In transitions, he was certainly a threat.”

Howe will pick between Barnes or Anthony Gordon who starts on the left wing for Saturday’s Premier League opener versus Aston Villa.

Gordon, fresh from winning the under-21s Euros with England last month, has looked sharp in pre-season but Barnes has quickly got up to speed, despite only linking up during the Premier League Summer Series.

Asked by NewcastleWorld if he expects Barnes to make an immediate impact, Howe said: “Well, you hope so. “It’s difficult to predict but I think his role in the team on that left-hand side is slightly simple than other positions in the team.

“And as always when you sign someone, you’re hoping their attributes fit what you want and you’re not asking them to do anything they’re not comfortable doing.

“I think you could see from Harvey today he looked good in the team and he looked comfortable in his role. I thought he performed really well, I was delighted with his two goals. Physically, he looks good as well as he had a period before he signed where he hadn’t had the training.

“He’s looked sharper in the two weeks. He’s in a good place.”