THERE could not have been a more appealing start to the new Premiership season for the North-East's three top-flight clubs.

Liverpool's first domestic fixture as champions of Europe will be at the Riverside Stadium on August 13, while Newcastle United's first day will see them make the trip to 2004 league winners Arsenal.

Sunderland's return to the Premiership may not see one of the big guns arrive on Wearside but, nevertheless, it will be at the Stadium of Light in front of 48,000 buoyant fans.

The Black Cats have been handed a home game with Charlton and it offers a chance for striker Jon Stead to show the Addicks exactly what they missed out on.

Stead opted for Sunderland over a move to the capital from Blackburn earlier this month and will be aiming to vindicate manager Mick McCarthy's decision to pay £1.8m from the first opportunity.

But the Sunderland boss is not concentrating on individuals and he can't wait to lead his men into the Premiership after winning the Championship in May.

He said: "It's wonderful to see the fixture list, it's confirmation that we're there, as it's all been a bit surreal before now.

"I'm not daunted by the forthcoming season, far from it, I'm excited by the challenge ahead. Naturally, I'm absolutely delighted that we'll start our campaign at the Stadium of Light, it carries on the euphoria of the end of last season through to the new season - it'll be great for our fans."

Sunderland's place back among the elite also sees the return of the highly-volatile Tyne-Wear derby; the first of which will be at St James' Park on October 22.

Newcastle pay a return visit to the Stadium of Light on April 17 and Magpies boss Graeme Souness said: "I'm sure the fans will be looking forward to the derby games with Sunderland. They always have that extra spice about them."

In a strange twist of fate, Newcastle's season opener has Souness taking his men back to the scene of one of his biggest lows as manager on Tyneside - Highbury.

In January, Craig Bellamy and Souness both levelled accusations at one another after the Welshman allegedly refused to play on the wing by feigning injury.

Bellamy has recently claimed he will be back at Newcastle for pre-season training on July 4 and only time will tell whether he is back in the squad for the match with the Gunners.

"It's a hard game to start with but you have to play everyone at some time so it doesn't matter when it is," said Souness, whose side face Boro on January 2 (home) and April 8 (away).

"It would have been nice to start the season with a home game, but we're away first and we'll look forward to it and make sure we're ready for it."

Boro's curtain-raiser with Liverpool could also have its fair share of controversy if Bolo Zenden completes a move to Anfield this summer.

Zenden has already rejected one contract offer at the Riverside and has held talks with the Reds and could line up against Boro in August.

Manager Steve McClaren believes playing Liverpool will help his side prepare for two challenging away fixtures at Tottenham and Birmingham the following week.

"They're traditionally tough games on your travels but we're going into the season full of confidence. We've got nothing to fear about any of fixtures," said McClaren.

"Whatever games you have are going to be tough ones in the Premier League because everyone starts off feeling positive and full of belief. We couldn't have had a better opening match than facing the Champions League winners at home."

Hartlepool, meanwhile, kick their League One campaign off under Martin Scott on August 6 with a repeat of last season's first game against Bradford, and they are hoping for the same scoreline.

Pool - who will come up against former boss Neale Cooper, now at Gillingham, on October 8 and November 19 - won 2-1 at Victoria Park.

And skipper Micky Barron said: "It's unusual to get the same fixture but we would definitely take the same result. Being at home is ideal for us but it's only ideal if we get the points."

Darlington, who start away to Rushden and Diamonds, welcome old foe Chris Turner to the Williamson Motors Stadium for the Quakers' first home game in League Two.

It will be the first time David Hodgson and Turner have gone head to head since Darlington's play-off victory over Pool in May 2000.

But assistant Mark Proctor is looking at the broader picture. He said: "I think it is good to get relegated teams early doors. Mentally it is a massive transition coming from one division down to another. They be just finding their feet and maybe not quite sure what it is all about.