FREDDIE WOODMAN has backed fellow Newcastle United youngster Adam Armstrong to make a major impression in the Championship next season.

The Magpies will kick off the new EFL season with a Friday-night trip to Fulham following yesterday’s release of the fixture list, with their opening home game pitting them against Huddersfield Town eight days later.

By the time they begin life in the second tier on August 5, the make-up of their squad should be a lot clearer, with Rafael Benitez expected to move on a number of big-name players despite his insistence that he does not have to sell despite last season’s relegation.

The departure of two or three attacking players could create an opportunity for Armstrong to step up to Newcastle’s first team, with the 19-year-old having scored 20 League One goals during last season’s loan spell at Coventry City.

Armstrong is currently nursing a thigh injury that could keep him out of next month’s European Under-19 Championships, but he should be fit for the start of the season and Woodman expects him to be a major force.

“I think he can bring everything,” said the goalkeeper, who will also be hoping to force his way into the first-team ranks. “I’ve seen him since I’ve come to the club when I was 14.

“He’s strong, he’s aggressive and he’ll have a lot of confidence coming off 20 goals in League One. Arma’s a top talent and he’ll score goals in any team. All the young lads must have a good chance next season. Hopefully, they’ll get a good chance.”

Armstrong’s first-team prospects on Tyneside will be determined by what happens to the likes of Aleksandar Mitrovic, who is due to miss the first four games of next season through suspension, Ayoze Perez and Georginio Wijnaldum.

All three have been linked with moves away from St James’ Park, and if they were to depart, Benitez could find himself turning to Armstrong to lead the line.

The teenager has already been the subject of considerable interest from clubs in the Championship, League One and Scottish Premier League, but he will only be allowed to leave on another loan if he finds himself fourth or fifth in the attacking pecking order.

Next season’s fixtures have hammered home the reality of last season’s relegation, with September likely to provide an early indication of Newcastle’s promotion prospects. The Magpies travel to Derby, QPR and Aston Villa in September, as well as hosting Wolves and Norwich.

They are at home on both Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve, and travel to Cardiff for their final away game before finishing the season at home to Barnsley.