NEWCASTLE UNITED head coach Eddie Howe is looking forward to advancing his side’s preparations for the new Premier League season as they travel to Austria tomorrow for a pre-season training camp.

Howe’s side kicked off their pre-season schedule today by putting the sword to North-East neighbours Gateshead beating them 5-1 at their Benton Training Ground. Goals from Matt Ritchie, Joelinton, Sean Longstaff and two from Miguel Almiron did the damage in their first friendly of the summer.

As the Magpies fly out to their training camp tomorrow, they will face both 1860 Munich and Mainz in pre-season friendlies next week in Austria before they head to Portugal to take on Benfica.

“Touch wood I think we are (in great shape) but there is still a long way to go” said Howe.

The Newcastle boss recognises the significance of the trip as they look to ramp things up in pre-season as Howe continued: “Austria will be an important time for us. We’ve got a lot of work to cram in a short period of time. Hopefully the lads will go there and enjoy that week to ten days.

“Hopefully they will enjoy that, come back and we’ll be much further forward in our preparations.”

Howe fielded two starting elevens in either half against Gateshead but their newest arrivals watched on from the stands.

Goalkeeper Nick Pope and defender Sven Botman have returned to training but were not given game time as part of their extended break before the start of the season. Both Pope and Botman were on international duty before they linked back up with the Magpies for pre-season.

Howe added: “I think with those lads we didn’t want to push them too quicky. We wanted to give them a little bit more time because they’ve had reduced training time.

“Just being careful but just making sure that, if we can, keep the majority of the squad fit.”

Newcastle face 1860 Munich first on the Friday which will be their second friendly of the summer.

After their abroad trips, Howe's side will play two friendlies against Atletico Bilbao and Atalanta at St James Park before they host Nottingham Forest on the opening day of the season.