Steve McClaren: Aleksandar Mitrovic was lucky not to see red

Players who struggled last season have been lifted by the new regime, but they were unable to kick-off their campaign with a victory against a Southampton side that finished seventh last season and was once again mobile and well-drilled. He dovetailed superbly with United new boy Memphis Depay, and will bring a driving presence to Newcastle’s midfield-should he remain at the club.

Shane Long scored in the 79th minute to rescue a point for Southampton as they played to a 2-2 draw with Newcastle United in a Premier League match on Sunday afternoon at St James Park.

Southampton’s stand-in manager Erwin Koeman felt Targett was fortunate not to finish up in hospital with his brother and boss Ronald after undergoing surgery on his Achilles tendon.

“A draw as a fair result, it would have been a travesty if we’d lost it at the end, but I saw enough there to build on and maybe enjoy a game or two instead of enduring it”.

McClaren said: “He’s walking around”.

“I stay happy because I knew one day I’d come back ready”.

Cisse scored 11 times for Newcastle last season but only made 23 appearances in a season disrupted by the Africa Cup of Nations and a six-game suspension for spitting. Their pre-season preparations provided more defeats than anything else, so the target here should be making sure that they don’t start with a heavy defeat. That’s what we have been given here – myself, the staff, some new players. If McClaren can restore him to something approaching his best, he could be a key player.

This match is the longest trip in England’s top flight, with 281 miles separating the centre circles at St. Mary’s and St James’ Park.

An unchallenged Graziano Pelle gave the visitors a 24th-minute lead with a header from a right-wing Cedric Soares cross.

Anita has been used by McClaren as a holding midfielder alongside Jack Colback in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

The other disappointing aspect of the game for Koeman was Southampton’s failure to take advantage in the final 10 minutes when their superior fitness – the legacy of recent Europa League action – enabled them to pin Newcastle back and create two chances that Sadio Mane spurned.

Moussa Sissoko appeared reborn and re-energised down the right-hand side, Gabriel Obertan justified his surprise selection on the opposite flank, and Papiss Cisse, who claimed Newcastle’s first goal from close range shortly before the interval, appears to have rediscovered his sharpness.