8 Newcastle United internationals – Gauging return dates for pre-season preparation

4 months ago 32

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We now await the eight Newcastle United internationals to return.

The bulk of the NUFC first team squad is now in Germany, with a training camp that lasts until Saturday.

The players had flown from the UK earlier on Monday, with a stay at the Adidas headquarters this week, taking advantage of the world-class training facilities in Herzogenaurach, Germany.

With both the Copa America and European Championships having ended, all eyes are on when the rest of the squad will join up with the first team squad ahead of the new season.

The eight Newcastle United internationals and their national sides’ final matches this summer, were as follows:

8 June 2024 – Alexander Isak

8 June 2024 – Emil Krafth

30 June 2024 – Martin Dubravka

2 July 2024 – Miguel Almiron

6 July 2024 – Fabian Schar

6 July 2024 – Bruno Guimaraes

14 July 2024 – Anthony Gordon

14 July 2024 – Kieran Trippier

Obviously the post-season trip to Australia also cut into the time off this summer for almost all of these Newcastle United internationals, as well as the other non-internationals of course. So that may also have played a part in a trade-off with the club for some players, a little extra time allowed in recognition of that Aussie trip.

You would certainly expect both Alexander Isak and Emil Krafth to rejoin the Newcastle United first-team squad, immediately after the return to the UK of the players who went to Germany for this Adidas facilitated stay.

Of course, next Saturday marks the point of exactly/only four weeks to the opening Premier League match against Southampton. So both Isak and Krafth joining the group to prepare for the friendly at Hull in 12 days time, which will be played only three weeks before the season starts.

Martin Dubravka (30 June) and Miguel Almiron (2 July) were the next two to end their international involvement this summer, both though heavily linked with moves away from Newcastle United this summer. Interesting to see when/if they rejoin the rest of the NUFC first-team squad.

Bruno Guimaraes and Fabian Schar both exited their respective international tournaments on the same day (6 July), a lot of spotlight on this pair.

They are both key players for Newcastle United and have played a lot of football these past 12 months for club and countries, so I’m sure Eddie Howe will be keen to work with both of them on how best to manage their return to the Newcastle United first-team squad. In particular, how best to try and ensure they are both able to line up against Southampton in just over four weeks time.

Which brings us to our final pair who were there to the last on Sunday at the Euros.

Kieran Trippier is a very experienced player and no doubt Eddie Howe will be largely guided by the NUFC defender on how and when he returns to the squad. Trippier of course started all of the first six England matches in Germany before sitting out Sunday’s defeat, as Luke Shaw came in.

Then of course we have the case of one Anthony Gordon.

He will of course need/want to spend time with his partner and baby especially, having been away from them for so long on this Euros trip. However, whilst you feel massively for Gordon with Southgate’s clueless behaviour, from a Newcastle United perspective it is a massive bonus that Anthony Gordon will be super fit for the new season, with only that single 89th-minute visit to the pitch against Slovenia and totally over that foot injury he picked up at the end of last season.

Eddie Howe knows no issues at all in terms of getting the former Everton winger up to speed again.

Gordon will undoubtedly be desperate to get back to playing competitive football and reminding everybody of Southgate’s clownish behaviour.

Newcastle United schedule to end of September 2024:

Monday 15 July 2024 – Newcastle United first-team squad have traveled to Adidas global headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany, for a pre-season training camp at the company’s world-class facility.

Saturday 20 July 2024 – NUFC first-team squad travel back to Tyneside from Germany.

Saturday 27 July 2024 – Hull City v Newcastle United friendly, 2pm kick-off.

Wednesday 31 July 2024 – Urawa Red Diamonds v Newcastle United friendly in Japan, playing at the 62,000 capacity Saitama Stadium, the largest football-specific stadium in Japan.

Saturday 3 August 2024 – Yokohama F Marinos v Newcastle United friendly at the National Stadium in Toyko.

Friday 9 August 2024 – Newcastle United v Girona FC friendly 7.30pm kick-off (SJP Sela weekend)

Saturday 10 August 2024 – Newcastle United v Stade Brestois 4pm kick-off (SJP Sela weekend)

Wednesday 14 August 2024 – The Carabao Cup second round draw will be made around 10pm.

Saturday 17 August 2024 – Newcastle v Southampton (3pm)

Sunday 25 August 2024 – Bournemouth v Newcastle (2pm) Sky Sports

Week commencing Monday 26 August 2024 – Carabao Cup round two matches will be played

Friday 30 August 2024 – Summer transfer window closes at 11pm.

Sunday 1 September 2024 – Newcastle v Tottenham (1.30pm) Sky Sports

(The first international break of the season)

Sunday 15 September 2024 – Wolves v Newcastle (4.30 pm) Sky Sports

Weeks commencing Monday 16 September AND Monday 23 September – Carabao Cup round three (This round split over two midweeks)