Newcastle United’s pre-season tour of Japan is over.

After beating Urawa Red Diamonds earlier this week, Newcastle ended their time in Tokyo with a defeat against Yokohama F Marinos on Saturday morning.

Eddie Howe’s side are now to head back to the UK to ramp up their preparations for the new campaign, with games against Girona and Brest of Spain and France respectively to come at St James’ Park.

It, of course, has been a relatively truncated summer, with many of the stars who went deep into international tournaments at differing stages of their returns.

Bruno Guimaraes only recently made his comeback, while Kieran Trippier and Anthony Gordon are still on holiday.

Still, Gordon has been keeping a close eye on proceedings.

Anthony Gordon hails Jacob Murphy as Newcastle’s ‘MVP’

Indeed, winger Jacob Murphy took to Instagram to post a collage of images taken during the tour, to which Gordon responded with the simple message ‘MVP’ [Most Valuable Player].

Jacob Murphy has been in great form for Newcastle

Pre-season obviously isn’t the time to draw too many definitive conclusions, with the Premier League offering a different test entirely.

Still, Murphy has been in fine fettle and with the club yet to sign a right winger, perhaps he’ll be in line to start against Southampton in the opener later this month.

Murphy scored twice in the win against Urawa Red Diamonds, taking his tally to four goals for the summer. Given Miguel Almiron’s relatively unconvincing performances last season, the former Norwich man looks a much better bet to start, unless a big new signing does indeed come in.

The winger may not be the biggest attacking name on offer but is certainly showing he means business this summer, even if the bigger tests are still to come for Newcastle.

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