Christian Atsu is expected to start pre-season with Newcastle United on July 3.

The 25-year-old signed a permanent contract at St James' Park in May after impressing heavily on an initial one-year loan spell.

The former Bournemouth and Everton loanee was excused from international duty last week as Ghana clobbered Ethiopia 5-0 in a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier.

The Ghana international is expected to be in top shape ahead of the start of the side's pre-season, which kicks start on July 3.

The Magpies will travel to German for pre-season where they will play VfL Wolfsburg on Wednesday, August 2.

VfL Wolfsburg on Wednesday, August 2. The game will be staged at the AOK Stadion, the home of the Bundesliga club’s development and women’s teams. ,

The side is also to finalising a second warm-up fixture in Germany.