A look at your Newcastle United evening headlines on Friday, July 22.
Defensive duo edge closer to full fitness
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe will assess knocks on Jamal Lewis and Federico Fernandez in the latest leg of the club's mini European tour. Both players are edging closer towards playing in pre-season after watching from the stands against 1860 Munich and Mainz 05.
Howe is expected to give both players a chance after they played bit-part roles last season. Lewis was not registered for Howe's 25-man Premier League squad last January but the Toon boss has hinted he will assess him this summer.
On Fernandez, Howe said: "Fede has picked up a minimal calf injury. It’s tight but we’re taking it carefully to build him back up before he trains.
"Fede, as I’ve said many times, is one of the leaders of the group - a very positive influence around the players so I’m delighted he’s here. We hope to get him back on the pitch as soon as possible."
Gayle underlines reasons for joining Stoke City
Dwight Gayle made it clear that he wanted to leave Newcastle United on a permanent deal after six years at the club. The striker has signed for Stoke City on a free transfer and penned a two year contract with the Potters.
Speaking after joining the Championship club, Gayle underlined his aims after ending his spell on Tyneside. Gayle told Stoke's official TV channel: "I wanted to move on and have somewhere I could call home and feel like I am fighting for that club. This was a major thing for me.
"I just want to help the team as much as I can. And hopefully and see where it takes us. I just want to score goals and help the team."
Lingard demands got telling reaction from Newcastle
Newcastle United were wary of smashing the club's wage structure to sign Jesse Lingard earlier this summer before the attacking midfielder joined Nottingham Forest.
Eddie Howe is a long-term admirer of Lingard and previously tried to sign the 29-year-old on loan from Manchester United in January as the Newcastle boss looked to add more goals to his side. ChronicleLive previously revealed that Lingard was 'gutted' to miss out after the Red Devils demanded an exorbitant loan fee.
Tellingly, Howe did not resurrect a move for Lingard earlier this summer. Although Newcastle would, obviously, not have had to pay a transfer fee to sign Lingard, the club would have had to agree a hefty signing-on fee and make the England international the squad's highest earner.
Lingard is thought to have signed a deal at Forest worth at least £120,000-a-week including bonuses.
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