Update:
Atsu op claim 

If news outlets in Ghana are to be believed, new permanent signing Christian Atsu has become the latest Magpie to undergo surgery. 

The winger was omitted from the Ghana squad for a trio of games next month - with claims following that Atsu was unavailable for selection after having had an operation to rectify a leg problem.

That unspecified procedure is claimed to have a four week recovery cycle.

Jamaal Lascelles and Matt Ritchie both had hernia repairs before the end of the season, while Jamie Sterry underwent groin surgery earlier this week. 

Update:
Temps sought 

Having concluded a permanent deal with Chelsea for Christian Atsu, it's now claimed that Newcastle are seeking another loan signing from Stamford Bridge. 

The player in question is 19 year-old striker Tammy Abraham, who scored 26 goals in all competitions during a loan spell at Bristol City last season.

The Telegraph report that both Newcastle and Brighton have been given permission to consult with Abraham and his advisors over a season-long loan agreement.

United - and Brighton - have also been credited with an interest in securing a loan deal for 21 year-old Chelsea forward Ruben Loftus-Cheek.

2017/18:
First signing 

Confirmation came from NUFC on Wednesday that they had completed a permanent deal for Christian Atsu - their first piece of business ahead of next season.

The 25 year-old Ghanaian international winger spent the 2016/17 campaign on loan at United from Chelsea and has now signed a four year deal for an officially undisclosed fee - said to be just over £6m.

Update:
No country clash 

The Welsh squad for next month's World Cup Qualifier against Serbia has been named - with Newcastle's Paul Dummett not among those selected. 

That means the Magpies defender isn't in line to face club colleague Aleksandar Mitrovic in Belgrade. 

Update:
Sterry surgery 

United have confirmed that full back Jamie Sterry had an operation on his groin earlier this week - and will be sidelined for the start of pre-season training. 

It's the second time that the 21 year-old Tynesider has gone under the knife this year for a similar condition, the club reporting in March that he had undergone a "minor" procedure on his groin.

Sterry recovered from that sufficiently to make a fleeting appearance from the subs bench away at Cardiff in late April, but wasn't in the squad for the season-closer against Barnsley. 

Championship:
Royals v Terriers 

Newcastle's league opponents next season will be finally determined this coming Monday, when the Championship playoff Final is held at Wembley.

Reading and Huddersfield Town go head to head for a Premier League place, in a 3pm kick-off that is live on Sky Sports.

The Royals are bidding for a top-flight return following four seasons in the Championship, while the Terriers have never played in the Premier League. Their most recent season in the top-flight was 1971/72.

Paddy Power have an enhanced for new sign-ups of 12/1 on a Reading victory within 90 minutes. Find that online here (£10 max bet, t & c apply).

Loan lads:
Krul in playoffs

Tim Krul (AZ Alkmaar)
The season goes on for the Newcastle goalkeeper, with AZ involved in Eredivisie playoffs for a place in next season's Europa League.

Following a two-legged 8-2 aggregate victory over Groningen (4-1 in each game) with Tim between the posts home and away, his side now face Utrecht in the playoff final.

The first leg is in Alkmaar on Thursday night, with the return on Sunday morning.

Lubo Satka (DAC 1904 Dunajská Streda) 
Ružomberok (a) Slovakian Super League, Saturday.

Kevin Mbabu (BSC Young Boys)
Assured of second place, Young Boys have two games remaining - a trip to Thun on Sunday and a home fixture against Lausanne on Friday week, June 2nd.

Old boy:
Lovenkrands 
back in Govan 

Recently overlooked for a first team coaching role at Rangers, ex-Ger and Magpie Peter Lovenkrands has returned to Ibrox in a part-time capacity.

The former Danish international has agreed to work with Academy youngsters in what will be his first coaching role since retiring from playing in 2014.

Old boy:
Woodman exits 

National League South side Whitehawk FC have confirmed the departure of their manager Andy Woodman - the former Newcastle United coach.

The Brighton-based non-leaguers appointed Woodman back in February and he successfully led the side away from a relegation position. 

His exit has increased speculation that Alan Pardew is close to making a managerial return and will recruit Woodman to his backroom staff once again. The duo worked together at West Ham, Charlton Athletic and Crystal Palace, in addition to their time at SJP.

Woodman's son Freddie remains on Newcastle's books after a season-long loan spell at Kilmarnock. The 20 year-old goalkeeper is under contract until 2020.

Old boys:
Taxi for..... 

Tuesday afternoon brought news of some changing circumstances for a trio of former Magpies:

Nile Ranger appeared at Wood Green Crown Court in London in connection with an online banking fraud, receiving an eight month custodial sentence.

Sam Allardyce quit his position as Crystal Palace manager, saying that "I have no ambitions to take another job." Can you put that in writing?

Joey Barton was formally released by current club Burnley, in the wake of his 18 month ban from all football activities for betting rule breaches.

Old boy:
Mariner Matty 

Former Newcastle midfielder Matty Pattison has left Blyth Spartans in favour of Northern League Division One Champions and FA Vase winners, South Shields.

The South African-born player is now 30 and exited Gallowgate in 2008, appearing for Norwich City and various clubs in his home country before arriving at Gateshead during 2014.

Switching to Croft Park two years later, Matty joins the Mariners on a two year deal as they prepare for the Northern Premier League Division One North. 

Compo:
Ned winner 

Hard on the heels of his well-received play Hadaway Harry, the latest offering from local writer Ed Waugh recounts the incredible story of the North East's first music hall superstar, Ned Corvan.

Born in 1827, Corvan grew up on Tyneside and found fame as a professional singer-songwriter and comic starring in music hall variety shows of the era. 

Mr Corvan's Music Hall premieres tonight (May 25th) Durham's Gala Theatre*, touring until June 10th and calling at New Hartley, South Shields, sunderland*, Whitley Bay*, Hartlepool, Stanley, Berwick and Gateshead* (*Extra matinee shows).

Bookings/information online here

We had a pair of tickets for the Sage shows up for grabs - and asked which former Newcastle footballer was honoured with a blue plaque in the city during 2013, as Ned Corvan was in recent weeks.

The answer we sought was Colin Veitch and from correct answers Andy McCabe was selected as our winner - thanks to everyone who entered.

Squad:
Headcount 

Before what is anticipated to be a busy close season of transfer activity, here's a recap on Newcastle's current squad - limited to anyone still on the books who has played a competitive senior game for us:

Contract expiring imminently (5):
Sammy Ameobi, Vurnon Anita, Yoan Gouffran, Haris Vuckic, Lubo Satka.

2018 (6):
Jesus Gamez, Curtis Good, Massadio Haidara, Tim Krul, Kevin Mbabu, Daryl Murphy.

2019 (2):
Jack Colback, Mohamed Diame.

2020 (9):
Adam Armstrong, Karl Darlow, Siem De Jong, Rob Elliot, Jamaal Lascelles, Chancel Mbemba, Aleksandar Mitrovic, Emmanuel Riviere, Jamie Sterry.

2021 (13):
Rolando Aarons, Christian Atsu, Ciaran Clark, Dwight Gayle, Grant Hanley, Isaac Hayden, Achraf Lazaar, Ayoze Perez, Matt Ritchie, Henri Saivet, Matz Sels, Jonjo Shelvey, DeAndre Yedlin.

Undisclosed (6):
Dan Barlaser (signed in 2015)
Paul Dummett (signed in 2016 tbc)
Yasin Ben El-Mhanni (signed in 2016)
Stuart Findlay (signed in 2016)
Callum Roberts (signed in 2015)
Ivan Toney (signed in 2015)

Misc (1):
Florian Thauvin - status tbc

Non-first team (3):
Tom Heardman (2017 tbc)
Alex Gilliead (2018)
Freddie Woodman (2020)

Happy ending!:
D-Day approaches

Following the success of "Touching Distance" and "Tunnel of Love", local writer Martin Hardy returns with his third Newcastle United book on June 5th.

Written with the co-operation of Rafa Benitez, "Rafa's Way" departs from the usual bland 'story of a season' format to chronicle the revival of a club on and off the field during our Championship gap year. 

The book also features exclusive interviews with Matt Ritchie, Jamaal Lascelles,  Ciaran Clark, Dwight Gayle and Rob Elliot.

Author-signed copies are available to pre-order now online here for £19.99 including UK p & p (delivery charges apply to overseas orders).

Internationals:
Young Lions held

Having kicked off their their World Cup campaign with a 3-0 success over Argentina Saturday, England U20s had to be content with a 1-1 draw against Guinea in their second group game on Tuesday.

Adam Armstrong retained his place in the starting lineup and completed 81 minutes, while Freddie Woodman dropped down to the bench in Jeonju.

Paul Simpson's side sit second in Group A on four points, two behind hosts South Korea. First plays second in Suwon on Friday, with England assured of progression if they can avoid defeat.

The 24 team tournament then runs through to the final on Sunday June 11th.

Summer action:
Toon pair sit it out

Scotland have confirmed their squad selection for their World Cup Qualifier against England at Hampden Park next month - and as expected, Newcastle duo Matt Ritchie and Grant Hanley miss out through injury.

Midfielder Ritchie missed the last two games of the season after undergoing a hernia operation, while defender Hanley didn't play again after the loss at Ipswich due to an unspecified ailment.

Fitness concerns also forced Hanley to withdraw from Scotland's squad for internationals back in March.

Callups: 

Ireland (Rob Elliot, Daryl Murphy):
Thu 01.06.2017  Austria (h) Dublin WCQ
Sun 04.06.2017 Uruguay (h) Dublin FR
Sun 11.06.2017 Mexico (n) New Jersey FR

A knee problem sees Ciaran Clark omitted. 

Serbia (Aleksandar Mitrovic):
Sun 11.06.2017 Wales (h) Belgrade WCQ

USA (DeAndre Yedlin):
Sun 04.06.2017 Venezuela (h) FR
Fri 09.06.2017 Trin & Tob (h) WCQ
Mon 12.06.2017 Mexico (a) WCQ
Sat 01.07.2017 Ghana (h) FR
Sat 08.07.2017 Panama (h) CONCA
Thu 13.07.2017 Martinique (h) CONCA
Sun 16.07.2017 Nicaragua (h) CONCA

Callups tbc:

Belgium:
Mon 05.06.2017 Czech Rep (h) FR
Fri 09.06.2017 Estonia (a) WCQ
(squad announcement tbc)

DR Congo:
Sat 03.06.2017 Botswana (h) FR
Mon 05.06.2017 Raja de Casablanca (h) FR
Thu 08.06.2017 Congo (h) AFCON

U23s:
First friendly 



Update: Northern League First Division side Whitley Bay report that they will host a pre-season game against a Newcastle XI on a date tbc. 

While confirmation of Newcastle's senior team programme ahead of the 2017/18 season is awaited, United's second string have been announced as one of four teams playing in a tournament at Whitby.

The venue is Whitby Town's Turnbull Ground between Thursday July 27th and Saturday 29th and in addition to ourselves and the Northern Premier League hosts, U23 sides from Glasgow Celtic and Dutch outfit AZ Alkmaar will also be participating.

Newcastle will play Celtic on the Thursday night (7.45pm), with Whitby facing AZ 24 hours later.

Saturday then sees the two losing sides meet in a 1.30pm start ahead of the final at 5.30pm that day.

Tickets for each game are £10 adults, £6 concessions and £3 children and available online here now

In classic local newspaper style, the Whitby rag chose to illustrate their piece with photos of Matt Ritchie and Brendan Rodgers - two people who will almost certainly not be at the Turnbull Ground in late July....

U23s:
Hoyoots 

Former Magpies looking for new clubs include:

Joey Barton (Burnley)
Sebastien Bassong (Norwich City)
Leon Best (Ipswich Town)
Adam Campbell (Notts County)
Ryan Donaldson (Plymouth Argyle)
Danny Guthrie (Blackburn Rovers)
JJ Hooper (Port Vale)
Brad Inman (Peterborough United)
Conor Newton (Cambridge United)
Gabriel Obertan (Wigan Athletic)
Remi Streete (Port Vale)
Mike Williamson (Wolves)

Notts County have offered new contracts to Shola Ameobi and Alan Smith, while Port Vale are in negotiations with Ryan Taylor.

2017/18:
Kit confirmation

United's new home kit will go on sale from June 15th and in keeping with agreed guidelines, junior sizes will be advert-free.

Next season's home shorts will remain all black, with the hoopy socks replaced by another retro design of all black with a white turnover. Thankfully shirt numbers will be red, allowing them to be....read.

Far-East owned gambling company FUN88 have replaced previous sponsor kit Wonga on a three season deal.

This isn't their first foray into Premier League shirt sponsorship, Burnley wearing kits featuring a FUN88 logo during the 2014/15 season.

Confirming the news, the SBC website added:

In celebration of signing the partnership, Newcastle United will be launching three new social media channels in Asia – WeChat, Weibo & Dongqiudi – targeting the Premier League’s biggest international fanbase in China with all the latest club news and exclusive content.

The FUN88 brand is a stable mate of 12BET, whose logo was carried on Hull City's shirts during their 2014/15 top-flight campaign.

More recently, FUN88 signed with Spurs before the season just ended as their betting partner in Asia & Latin America. 

Related brands TLC Bet and BETEAST have signed up with Premier League clubs as shirt sponsors at West Bromwich Albion and Swansea City respectively.

And TLC made Asia region betting partnerships with West Brom, Southampton, smoggies and mackems.