Pre-season schedule to include Ireland, Hull and Portugal games

NEWCASTLE United have confirmed their pre-season schedule ahead of the 2018/19 campaign.

The Magpies will again head to Ireland for a summer boot camp but this year their trip to the Emerald Isle will include a friendly game against St Patrick’s Athletic.

Rafa Benitez’s side have jetted to the Republic of Ireland for the last two summers to help their preparations ahead of their Championship-winning season and prior to the recent campaign, which saw the Magpies finish in 10th place in the Premier League.

A standout fixture away to FC Porto later in the month will then give Newcastle a quality test against the former Champions League winners, meaning a sunshine trip to Portugal lies in store for the Toon Army this summer.

The Magpies will also take on Hull City away and there will be a home fixture against German club FC Augsburg at St James’ Park in August.

Newcastle have also confirmed there will be a further friendly game, to take place on August 1, announced in due course.

Here is how United’s summer fixture list is shaping up:

St Patrick’s Athletic (a) Richmond Park stadium on Tuesday, July 17. Kick-off 7.45pm;

Hull City’s KCOM Stadium (a) on Tuesday, July 24. Kick-off 7.45pm;

FC Porto (a) Estádio do Dragão on Saturday, July 28 (kick-off TBC);

FC Augsburg (h) St James’ Park for Saturday, August 4. Kick-off 3pm;

August 1, opponents TBC.