The fixtures for the new season are out and for Newcastle United, it throws up familiar opposition in the form of Fulham.

The two clubs have met on plenty of occasions over the years in the Premier League, and both will be keen to get off to a fast start and lay down an early marker in the race for promotion from the Championship.

Rafa Benitez will be curious to see what the Championship holds, and he will need to utilise all his managerial knowhow and experience if he is to get the club back in the big time at the first time of asking.

Newcastle have been linked with many names over the course of post season already, with both domestic and foreign names being linked with moves to St James Park.

With this in mind, FLW writer Lee Connor takes a look at THREE new signings who could star for Newcastle on the opening day....

Alex Pritchard

The young midfielder has been told he can leave Spurs this summer, and there is likely to be a lot of interest in the little midfielder.

He is proven at Championship level as he demonstrated during his time with Brentford, so Benitez would be very wise to make a move for the midfielder.

Pritchard could well be an ideal replacement should Andros Townsend move on from the club. If Newcastle did manage to snap up Pritchard, regardless of Townsend staying or going, he would certainly add some quality to the first 11.

Dwight Gayle

If Newcastle are to win promotion, they will need to add some more goals to the team, and Crystal Palace man Gayle might be just the man they need.

He has bags of pace and has proven he can score the goals when given an opportunity for Palace, but there is an expectancy around him that he will move on this summer.

He will come at a bit of  a cost, but Gayle would be worth it for Benitez and Newcastle, and might well be the man who can fire them to promotion.

Isaac Hayden

The young Arsenal defender has already been rumoured with a move to the North East, and he may well be in the starting line up come opening day.

In Lascelles, Newcastle have a solid Championship defender who they can rely on going forward, and adding Hayden alongside him could be a formidable partnership.

He is highly rated down at the Emirates, but a move to Newcastle could well be on the cards, giving him the chance to showcase his talents in the Championship following last seasons spell with Hull City.