6 pre-season friendlies confirmed as Newcastle reveal key dates and new training camp

Newcastle United have finally confirmed the club's plans ahead of pre-season, revealing clashes with Gateshead, two German sides, Benfica, Atalanta and Athletic Bilbao.

After taking on Gateshead - managed by former Mag Mike Williamson - in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Saturday 9th July, the squad will travel to Austria for a week-long training camp that will feature games against 1860 Munich (Friday 15th July) and Mainz 05 (Monday 18th July).

Here's the pre-season plans in full - via NUFC.co.uk - along with all the dates for your diary:

• 1st July (Friday) - Players due back for pre-season training
• 9th July (Saturday) - Gateshead (behind-closed-doors) at Newcastle United's training centre.
• - Austria training camp
• 15th July (Friday) - 1860 Munich (6pm local time) at SaalfeldenArena Bürgerau
• 18th July (Monday) - Mainz 05 (5pm local time) at Kufstein Arena
• 26th July (Tuesday) - Benfica (8pm local time) at Estádio da Luz
• 29th July (Friday) - Atalanta (7.45pm BST) at St James' Park
• 30th July (Saturday) - Athletic Bilbao (3pm BST) at St James' Park

So, three new pre-season friendlies have been confirmed and we'll head to Austria - not the USA - after a tournament we looked set to take part in over in the States was cancelled last month.