Just one friendly match tonight involving Premiership sides, with Newcastle registering an impressive 4-2 victory over the Scottish Champions Celtic. With all Big Sam’s firepower up front, it was Luque of all players, who scored a brace. Martins and Milner hit the other goals and Newcastle even had the luxury of going down to 10 men and having keeper, Steve Harper, playing the final 20 minutes outfield.

Martins started the rout with a smart finish from a Solano assist. Luque added his first from 8-yards from a Milner pass and then put Newcastle further ahead from another Solano delivery. Celtic then pulled one back before N’Zogbia fed Milner for the fourth Newcastle goal.

Geremi started the game in central midfield alongside Butt, a position he could find himself in with Barton injured for the first few weeks of the season. Butt and Taylor picked up injuries in this game, Taylor having just returned from an ankle injury again limped off the field. There’s no definite news on either of those two as yet.

Newcastle Lineup: Given, Carr, Huntington (Taylor 46), Rozehnal (Edgar 70), Ramage (Pattison 46), Milner, Geremi, Butt (Harper 80), Solano (Carroll 46), Martins, Luque (N’Zogbia 46)