Magpies heading to Hong Kong next month

United, who won the seven-a-side competition in 2012 and were runners-up in 2013, are one of five English clubs taking part in the three-day event at Hong Kong Football Club, which kicks off on Friday, 18th May.

Defending champions Leicester City will be joined by Aston Villa, West Ham United and debutants Brighton & Hove Albion.

Newcastle are in Group C, alongside Rangers, Hong Kong Football Club and Australian side Newcastle Jets. The likes of Victor Fernandez, Daniel Barlaser, Callum Roberts and Luke Charman are likely to make the trip.

Professional development phase coach Ben Dawson said: "We are delighted to once again be invited to participate in the HKFC Citi Soccer Sevens.

"It is a great addition to our games programme and provides our players with a fantastic opportunity to test themselves against a wide range of opponents in difficult conditions given the heat, humidity and format of play.

"In previous years we have competed well to get to the latter stages of the competition and are obviously hoping that this year we can go even further."

The 2018 Hong Kong Citi Soccer Sevens will be the 19th edition of the event, held in Happy Valley, with 16 teams from all over the world due to participate in the main event. 

Ten teams will also compete in the Masters tournament, which has in the past attracted former stars such as ex-Liverpool and Ajax star Jari Litmanen and former England internationals Des Walker and David James.

Paul Dummett, Jamie Sterry, Sammy Ameobi, James Tavernier, Lubomir Satka and Adam Campbell are among the players to represent Newcastle at the tournament and later play first-team football for the Magpies.