Newcastle United has announced its starting lineup for the pre-season friendly against Valencia. This match marks the first for new head coach Matthias Jaissle, who has been working with the squad in La Manga.
The team features several new faces and returning players. Lukáš Horníček, recently signed from Braga, is set to make his debut in goal. Miodrag Pivaš, a 21-year-old Serbian defender who joined Newcastle United two years ago from Jedinstvo Ub, earns his first start in black and white. He is joined in the defensive line by Leo Shahar, Sven Botman, and Malick Thiaw, who is celebrating his 25th birthday and will captain the side.
In midfield, summer signing Aladji Bamba will partner with Jacob Ramsey. The wide positions will be occupied by Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga, while Nick Woltemade and William Osula are named as the central attackers.
Squad Updates and Absences
Several players are unavailable for the match. Lewis Hall is being rested due to a knock, and both Fabian Schär and Alex Murphy are ruled out. Tino Livramento underwent minor surgery earlier in the summer. Dan Burn is expected to rejoin the squad next week after his involvement with England in the World Cup semi-finals.
Among the substitutes, Newbottle-born teenage defender Henry Johnson, who recently signed his first professional contract, is included. Dylan Charlton also features in the squad. Other players hoping to gain minutes include Joelinton, Yoane Wissa, Sean Steur, Bazo Toure, Jacob Murphy, Joe Willock, Rory Finneran, Sean Neave, and Mason Miley. Mark Gillespie and Aidan Harris are the substitute goalkeepers.
This friendly against Valencia, who finished ninth in La Liga last season, is part of Newcastle United‘s pre-season preparations. The Premier League season is scheduled to kick off in just over two weeks.
Upcoming Fixtures
The match against Valencia is the latest in a series of pre-season games for Newcastle United. Earlier results include a 3-0 win over Darlington, a 1-1 draw against Gateshead, and a 4-1 defeat to Bristol City.
The club has several more fixtures scheduled before the start of the competitive season:
- Monday 10 August 2026: The draw for the Carabao Cup second round.
- Wednesday 12 August 2026: Newcastle v Everton pre-season friendly at Murrayfield, with a 5:15pm kick-off.
- Saturday 15 August 2026: Newcastle United v Bayer Leverkusen friendly at St James’ Park, 3pm.
- Sunday 16 August 2026: Newcastle United v Strasbourg friendly at St James’ Park, 4pm.
- Sunday 23 August 2026: Newcastle v Liverpool at 4:30pm, marking the first Premier League match of the season.
The Carabao Cup second round match is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday 26 August 2026.
The Premier League transfer window is set to close on Tuesday 1 September 2026, at 11pm.
Further Premier League matches include Spurs v Newcastle on Saturday 29 August 2026, at 5:30pm, and Newcastle v Bournemouth on Saturday 5 September 2026, at 12:30pm. Leeds v Newcastle is scheduled for Monday 14 September 2026, at 8pm, and Newcastle v Hull on Saturday 19 September 2026, at 3pm.
Source: newcastleunited.com
