Aston Villa (a) SOLD OUT
Liverpool (h) ST forwarding / resale now
Leeds (a) Sales closed
Wolves (h) Member ballot opens Mon 11.08, Noon
Bmouth (a) ST applications open Mon 25.08, 2pm
Arsenal (h) Member ballot opens Mon 18.08, Noon

Update:
Howe quotes

Speaking after Friday's 2-2 home draw against Espanyol, Eddie Howe said:

On the absent Alexander Isak:

"The situation is unchanged. Me and Alex have had a conversation and it's clear at the moment I can’t involve him in the group. 

"I don’t know when that will change: it's frustrating we're missing such an important part of the team.

"He is training later than the rest of the squad. There have been discussions since the tour. I don’t think disciplinary action has happened.

"He is here, so of course he has a future at Newcastle. From our perspective, we would love to have him back with the team, but the situation has to be right for that to happen.

"He’s fit, he doesn’t have a fitness issue.

"I’d rather leave it with that line. Discussions between us must remain private but it’s clear that I can’t involve him with the team at the moment.

"I want Alex to be playing today - I want him to be training tomorrow. We would love the player to be with us.

"Let me make that absolutely clear, there is no part of me that doesn’t want that outcome. But I don’t see that (absence) changing before Aston Villa.”

On whether the club could block his sale:

"I don’t think it’s that straightforward, otherwise we’d have done that a long time ago. I don’t think we’re in a position to do that currently."

On transfers:

"We're still looking. We're active and we'll be active until we have the squad we want - and that isn't the case, clearly, at the moment with gaps to fill.

"We're focused on a number of positions and a number of players. We're still working incredibly hard to add (to the squad). I think we're one of a number of teams who have found it difficult to bring in the right players."

On PIF etc:

"The owners are very much engaged, as much as they always have been.

"This has been a challenging period where there’ll be a lot of different opinions on different subjects, but can assure everybody connected with Newcastle that the owners are very much behind the project and fighting every day for the club.”

On Saturday's game:

"Touch wood, everyone who is fit will play - Sven Botman included, who came through a training session today and looked good. Joe Willock is the only one who is missing."

On Martin Dubravka:

"Absolutely brilliant for me - a pleasure to coach and work with. His journey at Newcastle was a great story. We thank him for all he's done for the club and he leaves with his head held high, knowing he did a great job for us." 

2025/26:
No Spanish stroll 

Newcastle  2  Espanyol  2

Despite goals from Matt Targett and Jacob Murphy plus a penalty save from debutant goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, Newcastle were unable to put an end to their winless pre-season run at Gallowgate on Friday night.

The Magpies lined up in their blue third kit with Ramsdale making his bow and Seung-soo Park gaining his first experience of playing on Tyneside.

Ramsdale was beaten in the 17th minute by a 25 yard blockbuster from Edu Exposito, but the hosts trailed for barely five minutes before Lewis Miley's smart centre to the back post was nodded home by Targett.

Local referee Michael Oliver pointed to the penalty spot in the 37th minute after Targett was harshly adjudged to have impeded Exposito when a cross flew across the area.

Up stepped visiting captain Paudo - who had beaten Ramsdale from 12 yards earlier in pre-season, as his previous club Southampton faced Espanyol in a kickabout.

The ''keeper had gone right that time and conceded, but went the same away again and successfully blocked Paudo's penalty kick this time.

With only Lewis Hall replaced at the interval, Newcastle came close to going ahead through Fabian Schar and William Osula before a failed attempt at playing out from the back gave Jacob Murphy a simple finish.

That looked to be enough for Eddie Howe's side to claim victory as the Catalans made continual changes, but a rare excursion upfield in the closing seconds ended with veteran Enrique Garcia glancing home Pere Milla's cross for 2-2.   

Of the new boys, Ramsdale was noticeably more confident receiving the ball at his feet than rival Nick Pope, while Park showed no lack of eagerness in the hour he was given on the left, leaving amid warm applause from the crowd.

Lewis Miley also once again caught the eye; the 19 year-old United's most frequently used player in pre-season and creating one goal before working his way back to a similar post and coming close to repeating the feat.

Team: Ramsdale, Krafth, Hall (Al.Harrison 46), Schar, Burn, Targett, Guimaraes, Miley, J.Murphy, Osula, Seung-soo (Neave 63). Subs n/u: Ruddy, Gillespie, Kuol, A.Murphy, Heffernan, Bailey, Charlton, Sanusi, Shahar.

Goals: Targett 21, J.Murphy 79

EFC: Dmitrovic (Angel Fortuno 46), El Hilali (Roger Hinojo 83), Miguel Rubio (Calero 46), Cabrera (Pablo Ramon 83), C.Romero (Salinas 68), Pol Lozano (Bauza 83), Exposito (Terrats 61), Ruben Sanchez (Dolan 61), A.Roca (Kike Garcia 46), Puado (Pere Milla 68), Roberto (Jofre 68).
Sub n/u: Pol Tristan

Goals: Exposito 17, Garcia 89

Booked: Ruben Sanchez

Crowd: 30,782. Upper tiers weren't opened.

Referee: Michael Oliver

Stats: 

Newcastle renewed acquaintances with the side from Barcelona after previous meetings in 1960 and 2000.

The latter game was a pre-season kickabout staged at Espanyol's former home at Montjuic Stadium in August 2000, the hosts running out 2-1 winners.

United had done rather better in Spain during May 1960, securing a 5-2 win at Espanyol's Estadi de Sarria base.

Spanish sides @ SJP - PL era:

Book giveaway:
Compo answer

While we've had our fair share of player autobiographies, the group of ex-Magpies who are also published fiction authors is an exclusive one - and to combine both of those careers with serving in the police force is surely a unique CV. 

That latter part of his life influenced "Betrayed Trust", the debut book from former Newcastle United midfielder Tony Nesbitt, writing under the pen name Tom Hair. 

Dark tales of misdeeds in his native Wearside inform the first DC Dan Kilford novel, Tony taking inspiration from colleagues and criminals alike encountered during his service.  

An FA Youth Cup winner with United in 1985, Tony's senior playing career was decimated by injury and caused his radical employment shift. Read more about that in a chat with veteran journalist John Gibson here

We had copies of "Betrayed Trust" up for grabs and asked which ground Tony's league debut for Newcastle away to Charlton Athletic came at.

It was Selhurst Park and the names of the winners will appear here on Saturday.

(Buy "Betrayed Trust" online here via Amazon)

National League Cup:
Gateshead (a) confirmed

Newcastle U21s have entered the National League Cup once again this season and will begin their Group Stage games this Wednesday (13th) at neighbours Gateshead.

It's a 7.30pm kick-off at the International Stadium and tickets are on sale now for just £5 (£2 U16s) from the home club online here. A limit of 1,000 fans has been imposed.

'Keeper on the move:
Dubravka deal done

Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka has completed a permanent transfer to Burnley, moving for an unspecified fee and signing a contract of undisclosed duration.

The 36 year-old Slovakian international arrived on loan from Sparta Prague in January 2018 and debuted in a 1-0 home victory over Manchester United the following month.

Out of contract next summer, the last of Martin's 179 appearances in all competitions for the Magpies was the 1-2 FA Cup loss to Brighton at SJP last March. His final outing saw him beaten twice in 45 minutes away at Celtic in July.

He leaves SJP with two Carabao Cup winner's medals - despite not having played in a final. Unused on the bench against Liverpool in March, Martin was cup-tied for the defeat to Manchester United in 2023 - but eligible for silverware after appearing in an earlier round of the competition whilst on loan at the Red Devils.

Dubravka becomes a Claret following the departure of James Trafford to Manchester City earlier in the window and make his bow in a home friendly against Lazio on Saturday.

Martin's exit from SJP leaves the number 1 squad number unallocated for the first time since he inherited it from Rob Elliot ahead of the 2019/20 campaign.

PS: A further goalkeeping departure from Gallowgate looms, with Odysseas Vlachodimis travelling to Spain on Thursday to complete a season-long loan switch to Seville.

Update:
Sesk-no

Newcastle's attempts to sign a striker look have been thwarted again, with Manchester United completing the transfer of RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko. 

The Magpies had negotiated a claimed £70m fee with the Bundesliga club in recent days, but a rival bid from Old Trafford for the 22 year-old Slovenian international striker belatedly appeared - and was successful.

Sesko was pictured flying to Manchester on Thursday before putting pen to paper - doubtless agreeing a pay packet far in excess of anything available at SJP. 

Update:
Isak returns

Having returned from his Spanish interlude over the weekend, Alexander Isak was spotted at Newcastle's Darsley Park training ground on Monday and Tuesday.

The rest of the first team squad returned on Wednesday - including new loan arrival Aaron Ramsdale - but the Swede trained separately after them.

That situation was then reportedly replicated on Thursday.

Where that leaves Isak in the light of Benjamin Sesko's desire to become a Red Devil rather than a Magpie is uncertain at this point in time. 

Loan lads:
The borrowers

Two Magpies have left on loan so far this season:

Antonio Cordero (KVC Westerlo):
KV Mechelen (h) Belgian Pro League, Saturday.

Joe White (Leyton Orient):
Wigan Athletic (h) League One, Saturday.

U21s:
Saints for starters 

Newcastle's PL2 fixtures for the coming season have now been announced and can be read online here

The currently coachless U21s begin against Southampton at Whitley Park on Sunday week, August 17th (3pm).

Assuming no alterations, two of the away venues break new ground for United: Birmingham City U21s using Stratford Town and Crystal Palace U21s domiciled at Sutton United.

2025/26:
Seoul stalemate

Newcastle  1  Spurs  1

Match report

Update:
Bournemouth (a)

Application details for September's visit to Bournemouth:

Applications open: Mon 25.08.2025 @ 2pm
Applications close: Tue 26.08.2025 @ 2pm
Sales open: Wed 27.08.2025 @ 2pm
Sales close: Fri 29.08.2025 @ 2pm

NUFC away ticket process changes are detailed here

Note that this game could yet move depending on the Champions League calendar. On that basis, the club are obliged to offer refunds if a different date means supporters are then unable to attend.

2025/26:
Sub-mariners sunk

South Shields  0  Newcastle U21s  5

Match action

Match report

2025/26:
Change kit released

Buy 2025/26 season kits online here from JD Sports.

Meltdown:
Isak timeline

Sun 04.05 Isak scored his 54th Premier League goal (62nd in all competitions) for Newcastle - a penalty in a 1-1 draw at Brighton.

Sun 18.05 Isak missed the 0-1 Premier League loss at Arsenal, Howe told the media that he'd had a scan on a groin problem and rest rather than surgery was forecast.

Sun 25.05 Isak played the entirety of a 0-1 Premier loss at home to Everton, Newcastle's season-ending fixture.

Tue 27.05 Isak withdrew from Sweden's squad for two games in June due to a minor injury, presumably groin.

Mon 14.07 Isak was part of the Newcastle party that flew to Austria for a week-long training camp.

Tue 15.07 The Athletic reported that Liverpool had made it know they were prepared to pay £120m for Isak.

Sat 19.07 Isak was absent as Newcastle faced Celtic; Eddie Howe told the media that he'd allowed him to leave the squad as he needed "more training time" but that he expected him to join the club's upcoming tour of Asia.

Mon 21.07 Isak trained away from the rest of the squad at Darsley Park but reportedly cut short the session.

(some sources claim this may have been on 22.07)

Tue 22.07 Newcastle reportedly switched targets to Brentford's Yoane Wissa, to augment (or replace) Isak.

Wed 23.07 Liverpool completed the signing of Eintracht Frankfurt forward Hugo Ekitike, a player Newcastle had attempted to sign to augment (or replace) Isak.

Thu 24.07 Isak wasn't on the plane to Singapore and multiple media outlets reported he'd "told Newcastle he wants to explore a move away from the club".

The Times wrote that Isak refused to accept improved terms and an extension to his current Newcastle contract, allegedly seeking £300k per week - an amount the club wouldn't be able to meet given their financial status.

Fri 25.07 The Guardian wrote that Isak had been offered a basic weekly wage of £600K by Al-Hilal in Saudi Arabia.

Sat 26.07 Howe met the media in Singapore and had no update on Isak's thigh injury but called it minimal and was still confident that he would remain a Newcastle player. 

Sun 27.07 Newcastle lost 2-3 to Arsenal, Howe telling reporters there was "no chance" Isak would be in Korea. 

Mon 28.07 Newcastle arrived in Korea without Isak.

Tue 29.07 Howe told the media that no bid had been received for Isak and he remained a Magpie.

Wed 30.07 Spanish media claims Isak is training alone in San Sebastian.

Fri 01.08 Liverpool bid claimed to be £120m rejected.

Mon 04.08 Isak returns to Darsley Park but is made to train separately from the rest of the senior squad.

2025/26:
TV times

The Premier League have confirmed their live TV picks for September, with one Newcastle game rescheduled:

Sat 13.09.2025 Wolves (h) 3pm no live UK TV
Sat 20.09.2025 Bournemouth (a) 3pm no live UK TV
Sun 28.09.2025 Arsenal (h) 4.30pm Sky

The Arsenal game falls between Newcastle's midweek Carabao Cup Third Round tie* and the second round of Champions League fixtures, spread across Tuesday September 30th and Wednesday October 1st.

With reference to the Bournemouth away game, just because it hasn't been selected for live TV, that doesn't confirm 100% that it will be a 3pm Saturday kick-off.

The first round of Champions League fixtures take place on the preceding Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday: were Newcastle to be in action on the Thursday, that would result in the Bournemouth game moving to the Sunday. 

While the Spurs v Wolves game picked for Sky on Sunday 28th is liable to change if Spurs are playing a Champions League tie on the 30th, there's no similar advice regarding our game v Arsenal on the same day - reason unknown.

The situation mirrors for our game regardless of that: were ourselves or Arsenal to be playing in the Champions League on the 30th then we would not meet in the PL on the 28th.

So in real terms, only the Wolves game is now confirmed, with the other three liable to possible change in the days following the Champions League draw on August 28th.

* that is split over two successive midweeks, with teams involved in the Champions League assured of playing their Carabao Cup tie during second of the two weeks.

There are no scheduled rail works between London Kings Cross on the day of the Arsenal game. For once.

The Bournemouth game looks unaffected by rail engineering work on the Saturday. Were it to be played on the Sunday, trains would still run direct to and from London but with average journey times extended by 45 minutes and trains not calling at either Basingstoke or Winchester.

Update:
New faces

Following confirmation of the appointment of Sudarshan Gopaladesikan as Newcastle United Technical Director, the vacant roles of Chief Executive Officer and Sporting Director are anticipated to be filled in the near future.

Several names have appeared in connection with both posts, but David Hopkinson is poised to become CEO in succession to Darren Eales, with Ross Wilson tipped to replace the now-departed Paul Mitchell as SD.

The 54 year-old Canadian Hopkinson had been in charge of the US-based Madison Square Garden Sports Corporation and was Global Head of Partnerships for Real Madrid between 2018 and 2020. 

He also had an earlier involvement with sports teams in Toronto, which included MLS side Toronto FC.   

41 year-old Scotsman Wilson meanwhile remains in post at Nottingham Forest, having held a similar position at Rangers until tempted across the border in 2023. 

2025/26:
Home ticket dates

Wolves (h): Ballot opens Mon 11.08.2025 Noon, closes Tue 12.08.2025 Noon. Winners notified Wed 13.08.2025 by 11am, seat selection opens Wed 13.08.2025 Noon, closes Fri 15.08.2025 Noon. ST ticket fwding/resale Friday 15.08.2025 4pm. Member Sale Mon 18.08.2025 10am.

Arsenal (h): Ballot opens Mon 18.08.2025 Noon, closes Tue 19.08.2025 Noon. Winners notified Wed 20.08.2025 by 11am, seat selection opens Wed 20.08.2025 Noon, closes Fri 22.08.2025 Noon. ST ticket fwding/resale Friday 22.08.2025 4pm. Member Sale Mon 25.08.2025 10am.

Old boys:
Comings & goings 

PL era first team Magpies on the move recently:

Tom Allan Darlington
Jean-Alain Boumsong Auxerre C
Andy Carroll Dagenham & Redbridge
Luuk De Jong Porto
Martin Dubravka Burnley
Stuart Findlay Hearts
Massadio Haidara Kocealispor
Grant Hanley Hibernian
Sean Longstaff Leeds United
Salomon Rondon Real Oviedo (loan)
Nolberto Solano Pakistan C
Ki Sung-yeung Pohang Steelers
Florian Thauvin RC Lens
Andros Townsend Kanchanabori Power
Freddie Woodman Liverpool
Callum Wilson West Ham
Mike Williamson Rangers C

PL era first team Magpies clubless but not retired tbc:

Rolando Aarons
Mehdi Abeid
Hatem Ben Arfa
Ciaran Clark
Paul Dummett
Isaac Hayden
Jeff Hendrick
Jamal Lewis
Chancel Mbemba
Jonjo Shelvey