Newcastle United's pre-season double-header could gauge 2022-23 ambition following transfer activity

Solid pre-season tests against Atalanta and Athletic Bilbao could indicate where the Newcastle United squad are at ahead of an unpredictable 2022-23 campaign. A resurgence during the second half of last season saw the Magpies transform from relegation certainties to claim a comfortable mid-table finish.

Eddie Howe’s troops earned a staggering 12 wins in their final 18 outings - despite managing just one from their opening 20 - to propel themselves up the Premier League and cause fan excitement to reach fever pitch ahead of the new campaign. The dramatic turnaround has clouded expectations for next season, with some fans aiming for the top 10 while others are dreaming about clinching a European place 12 months from now.

Pre-season fixtures against respectable continental opposition provide Newcastle with a gauge of how to measure ambitions just weeks before the season kicks off. Atalanta and Athletic Bilbao finished eighth in Serie A and La Liga respectively, with the former playing in the Champions League before eventually reaching the Europa League quarter-finals.

Toon fans will catch their first glimpse of potential new arrivals as both games take place on back-to-back days at St James’ Park. For now, the rest of the pre-season picture remains unclear after the Magpies’ trip to the United States was scrapped because of the axed Ohio Cup.

Tricky contests against formidable European opponents could give Newcastle supporters a taste of future events if the £300million Saudi-backed takeover unfolds as planned. Howe will certainly want to pick up where he left off last season against two clubs that could serve as an indicator of what his side’s aim should be in 2022-23.