SOUTHAMPTON may have lost several key players over the summer, but Newcastle United have been warned to expect another tough test when they travel to St Mary’s by a familiar face.

The Magpies get their league campaign back underway on the south coast on Saturday following the international break.

Pardew’s side were humiliated on their last visit to St Mary’s in March when the Saints ran out 4-0 winners, but there have been significant changes on the south coast since.

Mauricio Pochettino left to take over at Tottenham and was replaced by Ronald Koeman, while Rickie Lambert, Adam Lallana, Luke Shaw, Dejan Lovren and Calum Chambers were all sold.

The club has reinvested the money made from selling some of their prize assets in the squad, including the £10m capture of former Newcastle goalkeeper Fraser Forster from Celtic.

England international Forster spent six years at St James’ Park before joining the Scottish champions in 2012 and he has warned former team-mate Mike Williamson to expect another difficult day.

“Every week is an opportunity,” Williamson said. “We believe we have got the quality in the squad to beat anyone on our day.

“Last year (4-0 defeat at Southampton) was disappointing. It's a new-look Southampton team. I speak to Fraser a lot, and he said they've got a good group of lads who are working hard.

“I've seen them a few times this year, and they look strong. They've got a lot of quality, and it'll be difficult, but we'll go there looking to get a win under our belt.”

Northumberland-born Forster didn’t make a first-team appearance for the Magpies despite spending over half a decade on Tyneside, but since leaving the 26-year-old has established himself as a successful number one and senior international.

Williamson scored his first competitive goal for the Magpies in the home draw with Crystal Palace before the break, but the defender believes Forster will do all he can to keep his friend from scoring again.

Asked whether he could double his tally against Forster, Williamson joked: “That would be difficult as he does fill the goal!

“He's a fantastic keeper. He got to the World Cup, and all credit to him. Everything is based on hard work.

“Hopefully, he'll have a good season and show people what he can do.”

Alan Pardew’s side were held by Palace, despite going ahead in the 88th minute through Williamson’s strike and it meant the Magpies are still searching for their first win of the campaign.

“He (Pardew) will go away and dissect everything we did wrong and everything we did right (against Palace),” Williamson said.

“We'll try and build. You can’t take away the spirit and togetherness of the lads. We fell behind twice.

“They (Palace) have a new manager. They all worked hard and were disciplined. We were caught cold twice, but we showed the character, resilience to come back.

“We had the physicality to match them. There were positives there.”

Several Newcastle players have been away representing their countries over the past week, including Ayoze Perez, who earned his first cap for Spain’s Under-21s.

The former Tenerife forward has impressed since arriving in the summer, and admitted it was a special moment to earn his first international cap.

“It's a wonderful moment for me in my personal career,” he told nufc.co.uk.

“I'm flattered that they've put so much faith in me and I'm very grateful for this.

“I didn't expect it at all, it's a big surprise for me and I will definitely go for it and try my very best to represent the national team as it makes me very proud.”

Newcastle United have announced that they are to install a giant screen at St. James' Park.

The 60m LED screen, manufactured by sports technology specialists ADI, will be situated on the glass panelling in the north east corner of the stadium in the Leazes end and will be visible to over 40,000 spectators on matchday.

At 60m, it will be the joint biggest screen in the Premier League and will be up and running for United's home fixture with Leicester City on 18 October.