Newcastle United are looking upwards this year after suffering a hugely disappointing season in last year's Premier League, relegated in 18th position.

The Magpies failed to fight against the likes of Wearside rivals Sunderland to move out of the relegation zone, but wins in the last few weeks of the season under Rafa Benitez gave a glimmer of hope, such as a stunning 5-1 romp over Tottenham Hotspur over the final day.

Along with some classy looking new signings, Newcastle are all set up for a pretty fantastic season, during which they are expected to storm the league and win it with flying colours.

Part of any successful side is their front line. Goals win games, it's as simple as that, and looking at Newcastle's squad, they most certainly have firepower as they approach the new year.

So, what could a front line for Newcastle look like?

Here, FootballLeagueWorld writer Charlie Firth identifies the lethal front THREE which could fire Newcastle back to the Premier League...

RW - Matt Ritchie

What a stunning signing Matt Ritchie is for Newcastle United, and a testament to the reputation of Rafa Benitez and Newcastle United to pull a first team Premier League player down with them.

The former Swindon Town man joined Newcastle for a fee of around £12 million and was a star the last time he was in the second tier with Eddie Howe's Cherries.

He'll have a strong part to play for Benitez next year and will hope to improve on his previous goal/assist tally of 15 and 17 in 2014/15 as he looks to move the Tyneside outfit back into the top-flight.

ST - Dwight Gayle

This could be a shrewd little signing for Newcastle, as Gayle is a man who put his name on the map in the Championship with Peterborough United, where he scored 13 goals.

He failed to force his way into the team on a regular basis at Crystal Palace, with many Eagles fans praising his efforts but admitting that he just doesn't fit into Alan Pardew's system, despite having a sharp finish on him.

It would be unsurprising to see further competition for Gayle brought in by Benitez this summer, but if they do manage to get the best out of him, they've got a real player on their hands.

LW - Georginio Wijnaldum

Whilst it'll take a lot of convincing to get Wijnaldum, a star of Newcastle's begrudged campaign last year, to stay on Tyneside, it'll also take a lot of convincing for any club to stump up the £25 million Benitez is expecting to get for him.

The Dutchman is a player of real quality whom Steve McClaren battled off Sunderland and Everton to capture last year, and there's little doubt that fans are praying for him to stay.

It would be quite a boost for Newcastle to keep hold of the 25-year-old, and if they do he could take the Championship by storm.

Newcastle fans... what do you make of this front three? Let us know your thoughts and opinions in the comments below!