Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe will be targeting a fast start to the new Premier League season after masterminding a great escape last campaign.
The cub were struggling in 19th when Howe took over last November and seemed destined for relegation until, backed by the new owners with a successful January transfer window, he turned their fortunes around and they climbed to finish in 11th place.
Howe has been overseeing a pre-season trip to Lisbon, where Allan Saint-Maximin, Bruno Guimaraes, Jamaal Lascelles and the rest of the Toon stars were put through their paces at the Federacao Portuguese de Futebol.
Newcastle face Portuguese side Benfica at the Estadio da Luz on Tuesday evening before Serie A Atalanta visit St James’ Park on Friday and La Liga outfit Athletic Bilbao the following day ahead of the opening league fixture against promoted Nottingham Forest on August 6.