Alan Pardew has said that he is "very pleased" with his squad's performance during the first week of pre-season training at Newcastle United.

The players returned to Tyneside on Monday, and play their first pre-season fixture against Oldham on Tuesday.

The manager told the club's website: "I'm very pleased, we are looking in good shape. I'm very happy with [new head of fitness] Dave Billows. He has brought his vast experience from Everton to what we have been doing here.

"Combine that, and we have come up with what we think is as good a pre-season as we can get. The lads have enjoyed having him around. It's a new voice at the training ground, a fresh feeling to us, and that always helps too."

Newcastle begin the new Premier League season with a visit from Manchester City.

Written by
Sian Cowper