Newcastle United confirmed starting XI vs Urawa Red Diamonds: Joe Willock starts as big names absent

And it features two changes from Saturday’s 2-0 victory at Hull City with Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock coming in for Jamie Miley and Jamal Lewis.

That is despite Howe suggesting both players would feature in Saturday’s match against Yokohama F. Marinos as they built up their fitness ahead of the Premier League opener at home to Southampton.

But there is still no place for summer signing Lloyd Kelly, who is yet to make his debut since arriving as a free agent from AFC Bouremouth.

Asked about the trio at Tuesday’s press conference, Howe said: “I think you can expect to see them in one of the two games, probably more towards the Saturday, the second game, but all three trained today and trained well so they look in a good place.

While Newcastle’s international players, Bruno Guimaraes, Fabian Schar, Miguel Almiron and Martin Dubravka, joined up with the squad in Japan, none have made the starting line-up with only Almiron named on the bench.

They are now expected to feature against Yokohama at the weekend.

Here’s Newcastle starting XI and substitutes in full:

Konnichiwa! Newcastle United are in Japan - and so too are NewcastleWorld!

Our Newcastle United writer Jordan Cronin is there all week, providing coverage of the tour, behind the scenes video and analysis from Tokyo. 

And we’re proud to announce that our Newcastle United coverage of the tour has a sponsor! Every story from Japan is sponsored by Mobility Care Solutions Ltd, with the shop’s official mascot Murphy!

Eddie Howe's men take on Urawa Red Diamonds at the Saitama Stadium on Wednesday, July 31. They then face J.League runners-up Yokohama F. Marinos on Saturday, August 3.

For more information on Mobility Care Solutions Ltd click this link.