Newcastle in Portugal: Ashworth signing mission in Lisbon, Burn's proud moment and Anderson scores

Newcastle United rolled nine goals past Burnley in four 45 minute affairs at Cidade do Futebol yesterday afternoon in what proved to be a stroll in the sunshine.

During the training games sporting director Dan Ashworth watched the team but was still trying to push signings through in time for the new season. Ashworth is on hand with availability checks on players and various enquiries with things heating up in the transfer market.

Toon head coach Eddie Howe was left satisfied by a series of mini victories for Newcastle's A and B teams at the home of the Portuguese FA but there is still hope that United can add another new face by the time the new campaign kicks off next month against Nottingham Forest.

Here's a few things to emerge from United's training camp in Lisbon so far.

The former Brighton & Hove Albion supremo has not stopped working since finally being freed from gardening leave at the start of the transfer window. Since coming in he has helped push through deals for Sven Botman, Nick Pope and Matt Targett. And he has also helped balance the books with departures for Dwight Gayle, Ciaran Clark, Jeff Hendrick, Freddie Woodman and Isaac Hayden as the squad continues to be rebuilt.

Gone are the days of a Newcastle manager frantically checking his phone to see if progress has been made on deals. For Ashworth has travelled with the squad to Austria and now Portugal to ensure work is being carried out quietly and efficiently behind the scenes.

The £13million Geordie barely put a foot wrong last season but faces stiff competition to keep his place if Howe goes with a back four this season. On paper right-footed Fabian Schar and left-footed Sven Botman get the nod as starters in the eyes of many fans.

Howe has already