A month from today, Newcastle United will kick off their Premier League season with a home match against newly-promoted Nottingham Forest. With three names added to the squad so far this summer, one of those being a loanee from last season in Matt Targett, Newcastle have been active in the transfer market, with more players expected to follow.
After the arrival of highly-rated centre-back Sven Botman, Eddie Howe has 35 first-team players at his disposal, which will have to be trimmed down to a 25-man Premier League squad. With much of the Toon Army feeling optimistic for the season ahead, here is a look at how Newcastle could line up against Steve Cooper's Nottingham Forest side at the start of August.
Howe will likely line his side up in his favoured 4-3-3 formation, and there will be a bit of a new look to the defence, with goalkeeper Nick Pope and all four defenders signed in the last two transfer windows. Kieran Tripper, Dan Burn and Targett all played with each other during the second half of last season, and Dutch defender Botman will make up the back four.
