Five Newcastle players with the biggest point to prove in pre-season include injury-ridden £39m ace

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Eddie Howe will keep close tabs on his players during pre-season, with several individuals eager to impress the Newcastle manager.

Newcastle endured a turbulent 2023/24 season, with their lengthy injury list impacting their performances, resulting in the club narrowly missing out on a European place. The Magpies have players on their books with a real point to prove as pre-season approaches, each with varying reasons, have struggled at the club recently.

Howe’s side have already been active in the transfer window this summer, confirming four signings so far with the arrivals of John Ruddy, Odysseas Vlachodimos, Lloyd Kelly and the permanent signing of Lewis Hall.

The new arrivals will increase competition for places in Eddie Howe’s side ahead of the new season. With further arrivals expected, certain players could be playing for their futures.

Joe Willock

Joe Willock was one of several players who suffered an injury last season. The former Arsenal midfielder did not feature during pre-season ahead of the 2023/24 campaign, which seriously impacted his fitness.

Willock picked up an achilles injury towards the end of Newcastle’s 2022/23 season and has failed to recover properly. The injury reduced him to just 14 appearances in all competitions.

Willock will hope to get a full pre-season under his belt this time and remind Howe of his qualities after being a vital part of the side that finished in the top four in 2022/23.

Sandro Tonali

There were high expectations of the Italian after he completed his move from AC Milan last summer, and Sandro Tonali started positively, scoring on his Premier League debut against Aston Villa.

However, the midfielder’s ten-month ban for breaching betting rules in October compounded a tough season for Newcastle. Tonali was limited to twelve appearances in all competitions for his new club before his ban.

Thankfully for Howe, Tonali has been able to train with the side and will be available to play in behind-closed-doors games before being made available for competitive action in time to play Tottenham at St James’ Park – Newcastle’s third game of the new season.

Harvey Barnes

Another player hampered by injury last season, Harvey Barnes arrived from Leicester City last summer for £39m and hoped to occupy Newcastle’s left wing. Such was the Magpies’ misfortune – Barnes suffered an innocuous toe injury in September 2023.

Barnes only returned to the Newcastle side in March, leaving him frustrated as he watched his new side struggle amid an injury crisis.

Howe had hoped Barnes would occupy the left with Gordon operating on the right. The former Leicester City player will hope to take his chance during pre-season and remind the manager exactly why he was brought to the club.

Garang Kuol

Garang Kuol impressed for Central Coast Mariners, attracting interest from some of the biggest sides in world football in 2022, including Barcelona as reported by the Daily Mail. Newcastle quickly secured his signature and loaned the youngster to SPL side, Hearts during the 2022/23 campaign.

The loan move didn’t go to plan with the winger struggling to break into the side, making just nine appearances for the club.

A new season brought a new loan move for the 2023/24 campaign, with Kuol again struggling to impress with 17 appearances for Eredivisie side, FC Volendam.

The youngster is at a crossroads in his career, he will have the opportunity to impress Howe during pre-season, but failing to do so could see him depart the club permanently.

Sean Longstaff

Sean Longstaff’s position in the Newcastle side was under threat following Tonali’s arrival last summer. However, the academy product was able to take advantage of the Italian’s absence by keeping his place in the side.

The Geordie midfielder made 46 appearances in all competitions last season, often playing through the pain barrier.

With the imminent return of Tonali coupled with Willock and Joelinton returning to full fitness, Longstaff’s position in the side is under threat once again. Howe has consistently praised the midfielder, and Longstaff will be determined to repay the manager’s faith in him during pre-season.