Five pressing tasks facing new Newcastle manager Steve McClaren

Newcastle United concluded their pre-season tour of the US with a 4-3 loss to Portland Timbers’ second-string side. What now for manager Steve McClaren?

Choosing a captain

Fabricio Coloccini has been Newcastle skipper for the past four seasons but his position is now tenuous. Battling an Achilles problem that could see him miss the beginning of the campaign and also linked with a move to Crystal Palace, he has spent the current pre-season on the treatment table.