First images emerge as Newcastle United report back for pre-season training

Newcastle United have returned for pre-season this morning - as preparations for the 2022/23 Premier League campaign get underway.

It’s been 39 days since the players last reported for Magpies duty - ending last season on a high by beating Burnley 2-1 at Tuf Moor.

Eddie Howe, quite remarkably in the end, helped steer the club away from relegation as United finished the campaign in 11th on 49 points - their highest top-flight points total in eight years.

As it stands, only Manchester City, Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur have performed better points wise in 2022. That is momentum Howe will undoubtedly want to maintain when heading into the new season.

Callum Wilson, Joe Willock, Jonjo Shelvey and Jamaal Lascelles were all captured by the club reporting back for pre-season early Friday morning.

The likes of Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes, Miguel Almiron, Chris Wood and summer signings Nick Pope and Sven Botman are set to be handed a little extra time off after being on international duty last month.

Howe’s side host National League North champions Gateshead in a behind closed doors friendly at the club’s training centre on Saturday, July 9 before jetting off to Austria for a week-long training camp.

In Austria, Newcastle face 1860 Munich and Mainz 05. Others confirmed friendlies include Benfica, Atalanta and Athletic Bilbao.