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Kieran King

Potential Newcastle United squad as Masters Football returns

There has been plenty of excitement on social media after it was confirmed that Masters Football will return to screens in the summer.

After 11 years away, the much-loved tournament is going to be back bigger and better than ever this year, with Manchester United, Liverpool, Rangers and Celtic all expected to feature.

The programme was a firm fixture on Sky Sports for a number of years, but it will now be aired on sports documentary streaming site 360 Sports Television instead.

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Newcastle United could be amongst those to be involved in the tournament and supporters are looking forward to the re-start of the event, which is set to take place in July.

The Chronicle's suggested super side features players who has featured in Champions League semi-finals and made over 1000 appearances for the club combined.

134-cap Republic of Ireland international Shay Given would line-up in goal given his experience and how many matches he played in for the Magpies during his career on Tyneside.

Given, an Intertoto Cup winner with Newcastle, retired at the end of the 2017/18 season after featuring for Stoke City and could still do it at 45-years-of-age.

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The defensive duo could be the ever-reliable Aaron Hughes, 42, and Fabricio Coloccini, 40.

The pair were imperial for the Magpies in the Premier League during the late 2000s and early 2010s and could still do an excellent job in a small-sided game.

Coloccini's professional career ended last summer after his contract ended at Argentinian side Aldosivi, while Hughes, a product of the Newcastle academy, made 278 appearances for his first senior club.

In midfield, Nolberto Solano, 47, would be an astute name on the teamsheet considering how influential he was in his spell in the North East, chipping in with 48 goals in over 300 games.

Like Given, Solano was part of the Magpies side who lifted the Intertoto Cup in 2006 and his energy and quality in possession could be crucial to this team.

David Ginola, 54, would be the second midfielder and perfect to bring composure and calmness to the team.

A former France international, Ginola was a superstar at St James' Park and fans would love to see him represent the club again, even if it's in a Masters event.

Last but not least, Alan Shearer surely has to lead the line doesn't he? The all-time leading Premier League goalscorer won a number of individual and team honours throughout his career.

The 51-year-old is one of the greatest strikers the game has ever seen and could be the difference for the Magpies with his expertise and knack in front of goal.

On the bench, Rob Lee isn't a bad option to call upon when you need some experience and a cool head to change the tempo of a game.

The ex-Charlton and West Ham midfielder featured over 750 times for club and country and was pivotal for the Magpies in the 1990s as they became a force in the top-flight.

Meanwhile, the second substitute in the eight-man squad would be wide-man Lauren Robert, who had a successful five-year stint at Newcastle and also played for the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and Benfica.

The Newcastle starting six : Given, Coloccini, Hughes, Ginola, Solano, Shearer

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