NEWCASTLE United are relishing a homecoming at St James Park tonight when they face Italian giants Atalanta in their latest pre-season friendly.

The Magpies have been abroad for the last two weeks in Austria and Portugal. They faced German sides Mainz and 1860 Munich in Austria before competing with Benfica for the Eusebio Cup on Tuesday, losing 3-2 on the night.

But Eddie Howe’s side return to home soil for two games before the Premier League season kicks off. They face Atalanta this evening before Spanish side Athletico Bilbao make the trip to Tyneside on Saturday.

The two games will round off their pre-season campaign before they welcome newly promoted Nottingham Forest next week.

“It will be really good to be back in England” said Howe. “It will be really good to be in front of our home supporters again at St James’ Park. I feels like a long time since we’ve been there.

“We’ve been away from home a lot as well so it will be great to get back. It’s all about our preparations for Nottingham Forest.”

The Magpies will be without the suspended Joelinton for tonight’s game who was shown a red card in their defeat to Benfica on Tuesday. Meanwhile, the club are sweating on the fitness of Jonjo Shelvey, who suffered a hamstring problem.

However, Howe was pleased with the game at the Stadio du Luz as he added: “I thought today (Benfica) was a big step forward because that is some high quality opposition and I thought we performed very well so positive signs.”