Friday 5 August 2016 20:06, UK
Newcastle begin life in the Sky Bet Championship with a trip to Craven Cottage to face Fulham on Friday, live on Sky Sports 1 HD from 7pm.
The Magpies have been busy in the transfer market since last season's relegation, so how are they shaping up for the new campaign? And how could they line up against Fulham?
Here, we take a look at Rafael Benitez's options…
Karl Darlow will hope to keep his place after finishing last season as Newcastle's first choice, but he faces competition from new signing Matz Sels. The 25-year-old arrived from Belgian champions Gent last month, and he has shared goalkeeping duties with Darlow during pre-season. Rob Elliot will be third choice, with Tim Krul rumoured to be leaving the club.
Benitez has options in defence, too. Daryl Janmaat was linked with a move away from the club at the start of the summer but he has featured prominently in pre-season and looks set to stay and fight for the right-back spot with new signing Jesus Gamez. Paul Dummett will start ahead of Massadio Haidara at left-back, although the club are also closing in on Aston Villa's Ciaran Clark, who can play in that position or centre-back.
As well as their move for Clark, Newcastle have also strengthened their centre-back options with the £5.5m addition of Grant Hanley from Championship rivals Blackburn. The 24-year-old will compete with Jamaal Lascelles and Chancel Mbemba for a starting spot. He also gives Benitez the option of switching to a back three.
Georginio Wijnaldum has departed and there are doubts over the futures of Moussa Sissoko, Cheick Tiote and Florian Thauvin, but Newcastle's midfield is still in decent shape. Jack Colback and Jonjo Shelvey will hope to start in the centre, but they face stiff competition from new signing Isaac Hayden, who has made a positive impression in pre-season, while Mohamed Diame is also on his way to the club after agreeing terms.
On the flanks, Matt Ritchie looks like a certain starter after Newcastle paid £12m to sign him from Bournemouth, and they also have the likes of Rolando Aarons, Ayoze Perez and Yoan Gouffran, while Vurnon Anita has been used in a wide attacking role in pre-season.
Aleksandar Mitrovic will be suspended for the first four games of the Championship campaign after his sending off against Tottenham on the final day of last season.
In his absence, Newcastle will hope Dwight Gayle can hit the ground running. The £10m recruit from Crystal Palace is Sky Bet's favourite to be Championship top scorer at 8/1. Benitez could use Perez in a central supporting role, with Gouffran and Siem de Jong providing back-up.
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