Newcastle United are faced with a tricky looking trip to Fulham on the opening day of the season in what will be the Sky Bet Championship curtain raiser.

The Magpies will embark on life in the second tier for the first time since the 2009/10 season and anything other than promotion from the campaign will be deemed as a failure.

Spanish boss Rafa Benitez will oversee managerial operations once more after he took the decision to stay on as the manager, despite slipping through the Premier League’s trapdoor.

The Champions League winning boss is a major coup for a side who is about to embark on a season in the second tier of English football and no sensible money will be placed on them not gaining promotion this season.

Football League World writer Lee Clarke takes a look at a potential starting line-up, in a 4-2-3-1 formation, for Newcastle United in their opening game.

GK – Rob Elliot

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The Republic of Ireland stopper was in the form of his life during the 2015/16 campaign before a serious knee injury curtailed his run of games in the first-team.

The 30-year-old is set to make a full recovery from knee ligament damage to take his place between the posts for the Magpies next season.

With Tim Krul about to enter the final year of his current deal he may well be sold this summer, paving the way for Elliot to continue his good form from last season.

RB – John Flanagan

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One thing Newcastle United will have to their advantage next season is the ability to attract top quality players, despite their status as a Championship club.

Footballers will still want to experience the infrastructure of Newcastle United and the passionate fan base that attracts 50,000 through the gates every single week.

Flanagan’s form has stuttered over the last two seasons and a loan move away from Liverpool would do him the world of good, with Rafa Benitez the ideal manager to get the best out of him.

CB – Jamaal Lascelles

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It took the ex-Nottingham Forest central defender some time to win over the Newcastle United fans following a £4 million move from the City Ground, but by the end of last season several of the club’s supporters were calling for him to be first choice.

The defender has a bright future ahead of him and a season in the Championship will allow him to get more games under his belt for the club.

The 22-year-old played 15 times in the Premier League last season and towards the end of the campaign he was one of the club’s standout performers.

CB – Grant Hanley

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The Blackburn Rovers central defender is a wanted man this summer and Rovers could be powerless in their attempts to keep him.

Newcastle United will have immense pulling power when it comes to signing players this summer and Hanley could be a solid acquisition for the club.

The 24-year-old has played 183 times for Rovers and boasts experience in both the Premier League and the Championship, which could compliment the current crop of talent at St. James’ Park.

LB – Jose Enrique

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One of Newcastle’s star players during their Championship title winning campaign of 2009/10 was Jose Enrique and a move back to the club could be on the cards.

The 30-year-old was released by Liverpool in May after failing to hold down a place in the first-team squad, with Enrique now looking for the next chapter in his career.

The Magpies could do a lot worse than the signing of free agent Enrique, with the Spaniard an obvious improvement on youngster Paul Dummett in the left-back slot.

CM – Isaac Hayden

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One man who has been linked with a move to St. James’ Park this summer is Arsenal youngster Isaac Hayden, who would be a shrewd signing for a club in the second tier.

It is only a month or so since Hayden helped Hull City into the Premier League following a string of fine performances during a loan spell, with Newcastle likely to face competition from the Tigers for the player.

His 18 appearances for Hull highlighted his ability to play in the Championship and Hayden would be a sound addition for Newcastle this summer.

CM – Vurnon Anita

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Anita has been a decent servant for Newcastle United since his arrival in 2012, making 106 appearances in the process.

The 27-year-old is likely to stick around and be part of the plans Benitez has moving forward, which obviously starts with promotion during next season.

Anita is a reliable influence in the middle of the park for the Magpies and it is extremely unlikely that boss Benitez will turn to someone else to do his job next season.

AMR – Rolando Aarons

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Jamaican-born youngster Rolando Aarons will probably get the chance to shine during the 2016/17 season due to his performances during the last campaign.

The England under-21 international netted one goal in 10 Premier League outings and his energetic displays caught the eye of the Newcastle faithful.

The Magpies will look to build for the future with their team next year and the 20-year-old is likely to be a mainstay in the team during 2016/17.

AMC – Lee Tomlin

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The attacking midfielder was in superb form last season during a loan spell at Bristol City and their hesitation in signing him permanently is likely to tempt other clubs.

If Newcastle are wanting a player who can score from all over the park and bring other player into a game, then the Bournemouth man is just the player which they need.

He netted six times for the Robins on loan last season and Bournemouth are now likely to offload the player this summer.

Newcastle were reportedly interested in the 27-year-old earlier in June and it remains to be seen whether they will follow up their previous interest.

AML – Andros Townsend

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Although some Newcastle United fans are resigned to the fact that the former Spurs man will make a quick return to the Premier League, there is still every chance that he might stay with the Magpies.

The winger signed for the Magpies for £8 million as recent as January so the club are unlikely to let him leave on the cheap, which could dictate that he stays for a stint in the Championship.

The clubs linked with serious interest in Townsend are sides that will probably battle near the foot of the top flight, so it could be in his best interests to stick around at Newcastle.

ST – Patrick Bamford

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The Chelsea youngster looks set to depart the Blues on yet another loan spell and after struggling in the Premier League last season, the Championship could be a logical destination for the player.

The 22-year-old netted 17 goals the season before last whilst playing for Newcastle’s rivals Middlesbrough and the striker could find himself back in the Championship with the Magpies next season.

The England under-21 striker knows where the back of the net is when it comes to the Championship and he will get ample chances to score with a pair of solid wingers on the flanks.

Newcastle United fans, would you be happy if this team started the first game at Fulham? Who else would you like to see included? Let us know in the comments below!!!