Five NUFC players pictured back at Toon training ground as pre-season programme begins

After six weeks off, a few Newcastle United players have been spotted returning to the club's Benton base this morning for the start of pre-season training.

The five players pictured include Callum Wilson, Joelinton, Paul Dummett, Karl Darlow and Mark Gillespie.

We're sure others will have also joined them - even if a few NUFC stars may have been granted a longer summer break - however these are the only players who've been snapped by the club's media team this morning:

Here's the photos released by the club, followed by the SIX pre-season friendlies set to take place between July and August:

• 18th July – York City (A) and Harrogate Town (A) – 2pm – *First-team squads split*
• 23rd July – Doncaster Rovers (A) – 7pm – Keepmoat Stadium
• 27th July – Rotherham United (A) – 7pm – AESSEAL New York Stadium
• 30th July – Burton Albion (A) – 7.45pm – Pirelli Stadium
• 7th August – Norwich City (H) – 2pm – St James’ Park.

Miguel Almiron has been given an extended break after competing in Copa America, while Allan Saint-Maximin's Instagram suggests he remains out of the country and following his own fitness plan on holiday.

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