Newcastle United's tour of the United States has caught both the imagination of the travelling Toon Army and the American public.
On Friday, the Premier League were briefing that Newcastle's encounter with Brighton & Hove Albion was a sell-out. But there were still tickets available for fixtures in both Atlanta and Philadelphia for the Premier League Summer Series.
The Premier League stated: "New Jersey is SOLD OUT, but there are still limited tickets available for you and your friends and family to see Aston Villa, Brentford, Brighton, Chelsea, Fulham and Newcastle in action."
The Magpies face the Seagulls at the Red Bull Area on July 28 although Ticketmaster were still showing a handful of front-row seats available last night. Fans can still obtain tickets for United's opening encounter in Philadelphia on July 23 against Aston Villa and the clash at the breathtaking Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta against Chelsea.
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The Premier League and Newcastle are set to announce a range of events including fan park details in the coming days.
Newcastle United's search for a new centre-back could set up an intriguing defensive battle
For all the talk of attacking transfer targets this week at St James' Park, the fact that Newcastle are also in the market for a new centre-back could set up an interesting tussle in the back four next season. Last term the pretty much unbreakable pairing of Fabian Schar and Sven Botman laid the foundations for United to qualify for the Champions League.
Newcastle must first sort out what happens next for Jamaal Lascelles after the long-serving defender, who could not get into the team last season, was linked with Luton Town and West Ham. As things stand Lascelles will return for pre-season training.
He remains club captain and has never let anybody down. But with Newcastle linked with Crystal Palace and England star Marc Guehi the defensive ranks could have another dimension should a player of that calibre walk through the door.
Joachim Andersen, also of Palace, is another to be linked with Newcastle. That was played down as premature by those at Palace but there is still understood to be interest from United.
Eddie Howe will want at least four centre-backs but Dan Burn is also capable of stepping into that role. It could be an interesting July from a defensive point of view.
Newcastle youngster delighted with big opportunity at Newport County
It was only last season that Matty Bondswell impressed for Newcastle United on pre-season when he stepped into the team against Benfica under Eddie Howe. But first-team opportunities when it all kicked off for real were hard to come by.
Bondswell ended up playing 17 games for the second string and didn't get out on loan. At 21 though he needs to start getting senior action on a regular basis under his belt.
This week the left-sided player moved to Newport on a season-long loan. Looking ahead to the new season with the League Two side, Bondswell said: "After meeting the Gaffer Graham Coughlan it was quite an easy decision to make. "I’ve heard good things about him, the club and the lads as well.
"I am absolutely delighted to be here and to get it (the deal) over the line. I’m ready to get going."
