The new Premier League season is now just weeks away, with Newcastle United set to take on newly promoted Nottingham Forest on August 6 at St James' Park.
The current atmosphere at St James' ahead of the opening day clash stands in stark contrast to that of last season's opener against West Ham.
While the Magpies went 1-0 up against the Hammers, David Moyes' side went on to record an easy 4-2 win on Tyneside. However, this season, the first full one without any Mike Ashley involvement, promises to be a much more exciting and prosperous campaign.
READ MORE: Dwight Gayle won't get deserved farewell as Newcastle United exit finally arrives
Ahead of the new Premier League season, football's law-makers - the International Football Association Board (IFAB) - have confirmed amendments to six current laws of the game.
These changes will come into effect at the beginning of the new football season, which starts on the first Saturday of August, which is when Newcastle will take on Nottingham Forest. As such, Chronicle Live has taken a look at the six changes.
1. Law 3 - Substitutes
Perhaps the most contentious of the law amendments sees the Premier League make the permanent switch to five substitutions.
As a result of COVID-19, teams were temporarily allowed to make five substitutions per game. While the Premier League reverted back to three substitutions last term, the new law change sees five substitutions become a permanent fixture.
2. Law 8 - Start and restart of play
A really minor detail change here but law-makers are a stickler for the rules...
Law 8 now states "the referee tosses the coin" when it comes to the start and restart of play. Previously, it wasn't actually stated that the referee would toss the coin - although we're not really sure who else they thought would do it...
3. Law 10 - Penalty shoot-out
A change to the rules regarding bookings during penalty shoot-outs. A tweak to Law 10 means team officials can now be both booked or sent-off during a penalty shoot-out.
Let's just hope Eddie Howe, Jason Tindall and Graeme Jones keep their wits about them if Newcastle do make it through to any cup penalty shoot-outs.
4. Law 12 – Fouls and misconduct relating to leaving the field of play to commit an offence against an outside agent
The tweak to Law 12 covers when a player leaves the field of play to assault either a fan, an opponent (coach or player) or a pitch invader.
The referee will award an indirect free-kick if the ball was in-play during the outburst and the correct restart method will be used should the ball have left the pitch.
5. Law 12 – Fouls and misconduct relating to goalkeeper handling
Another example of being sticklers for details sees an additional change to Law 12. IFAB have confirmed a keeper can handle the ball within their own area without being sent-off for denying an obvious goalscoring opportunity.
6. Law 14 – The penalty kick
The last of the six changes is to Law 14. It now lets keepers stand with one foot behind their line, which will allow them to push off, giving them a greater momentum to make a save.
In the past, keepers had to keep at least one foot on the line and the other in front or on the line as well.
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