AYOZE PEREZ was the star of the show as Newcastle United continued their pre-season preparations with a resounding 4-0 win over Belgian side Sporting Lokeren.

Rafael Benitez watched his Magpies team run outt comfortable victors, with the only sour note coming courtesy of the late dismissal of summer signing Jesus Gamez.

Grant Hanley, whose £5.5m move from Blackburn was confirmed at the end of last week, was not involved, with Matt Ritchie also missing out as he protected a minor knock.

A strong Newcastle side claimed the lead in the 13th minute, with Perez exchanging passes with Rolando Aarons before drilling home at the front post.

Daryl Janmaat, who played on the right of midfield rather than in the back four, claimed the Magpies' second, nodding home Perez's free-kick which was delivered from just outside the area.

Perez claimed his second goal shortly before the interval, lashing home a powerful strike after Dwight Gayle's initial effort was blocked, and Newcastle made it four within three minutes of the restart as Jonjo Shelvey's shot looped into the goal via a hefty deflection.

That was that in terms of the scoring, but Gamez was dismissed along with Lokeren's Marco Miric after the pair tangled in the final two minutes of the game.

The Spaniard should, however, be available for Newcastle's opening Championship game at Fulham on August 5.

Newcastle: Sels (Darlow 72), Sterry (Thauvin 62), Mbemba (Saivet 72), Lascelles (Dummett 62), Anita (Gamez 46); Colback (Tiote 72), Hayden (Shelvey 46); Janmaat, Perez (Mitrovic 46), Aarons (Gouffran 62); Gayle (Armstrong 62).