NEWCASTLE UNITED’S international players are ready to start in tomorrow’s Premier League season opener against Southampton.

Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon all returned to pre-season training much later than their team-mates, having been granted an extended break after their respective international exertions this summer.

Eddie Howe admits the trio are not yet back to peak fitness, but having come through run-outs in last weekend’s friendly double-header against Girona and Brest, they are available to start against the Saints.

“I’d say that all of those players who came back later are physically fit,” said the Newcastle boss. “They are ready to play, and they proved that in the pre-season games. Are they absolutely 100 per cent at their maximum level? Probably not. But I think they’re very close to it.”

Guimaraes and Gordon are expected to go straight into Newcastle’s starting line-up at St James’, but Howe faces a major dilemma over whether to select Kieran Trippier or Tino Livramento at right-back.

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Trippier has been linked with a move away from Tyneside this summer, with a number of clubs in the Saudi Pro League known to harbour a strong desire to take him to the Middle East, but Newcastle are yet to receive a formal offer for the 33-year-old, meaning the chances of him remaining beyond the end of the month continue to increase.

The England international remains Newcastle’s on-pitch captain, but Livramento impressed when stepping in to replace him towards the end of next season and is regarded as the Magpies’ long-term right-back.

“Physically, Tino is in a good place,” said Howe, who could potentially solve the problem by playing Livramento at left-back ahead of Lewis Hall. “He hasn’t had any issues through pre-season.

“We believe in him, and really like his qualities and what he adds to the team. But he’s got serious competition in Kieran, and it’s going to be fascinating to see how those two players compete. They’re two top talents and two amazing characters.”

Callum Wilson will not be part of the squad to face Southampton after undergoing a minor back operation over the summer, but the striker should be back in action before the first international break at the start of September.

“Callum will be back in the early part of the season,” said Howe. “He’s probably a couple of weeks away. He’s making really good progress. To be honest, he wants to push a bit faster, but we’re just trying to manage the situation.”