Barnes gets into a groove in pre-season

NEWCASTLE United attacker Harvey Barnes insists that preseason has been a “character” building experience after putting a smile on the fans’ faces with a goal against Tottenham Hotspur.

- By LEE RYDER

The £38million man could form part of a three-man attack against Aston Villa on the opening weekend of the season with the team currently picking itself in the final third.

Barnes, Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga could lead the line of attack with Alexander Isak’s position at the club looking ominous.

Newcastle have not won a game in preseason but stopped the run of defeats with a 1-1 draw against Spurs thanks to his equaliser in Seoul.

The draw on Sunday came days after Newcastle lost to a K-League XI 1-0 and 3-2 to Arsenal in the far east.