Christian Atsu awaiting the start of the new season

Ghana international Christian Atsu has revealed his readiness to compete for a regular role with Newcastle United next term after recovering from a successful knee surgery. The attacker picked up the injury during the month of April just days after the Magpies survived relegation with a 2-1 triumph over Leicester City.

Speaking to The Chronicle, he said: “It felt great to be playing a game again and also getting on the scoresheet - and I'm very happy. It's very important for the whole season so I am pleased to be back and mark it with a goal. That's why I am very happy to get surgery out of the way. It means I am back and able to stake my claim for a first-team place. I feel I can compete with anybody that’s in the side.”

The Magpies have not spent any significant sum on their signings to date but they have covered a couple of key bases for the 2018/19 season. Martin Dubravka and Kenedy were huge hits on loan during the second half of the previous campaign and they have now managed to once more acquire their services, although the latter has only re-joined them on a season-long loan.

Aside from this, the Magpies have pounced on the signature of Ku Sueng-Yung on a Bosman after the expiry of his contract with Swansea City and the South Korean is sure to shore up the centre of the park where they have lacked the discipline in the past. Despite the positives, Newcastle are yet to find the solution for their struggles upfront and the next couple of weeks may decide whether they can recruit a striker, who can contribute goals on a regular basis.
Aleksandar Mitrovic has been widely tipped to make a return to Fulham on a permanent basis from the Magpies and the Serbian’s exit should offer them sufficient funds to spend on another marksman. West Bromwich Albion’s Salomon Rondon has been highlighted as a potential target for the Magpies before next month’s deadline.