Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan faces a daunting start to his first full season back in charge at St James' Park.

The 57-year-old will take the Magpies to Old Trafford on the opening day of the campaign to meet champions Manchester United, and a fortnight later will head for the Emirates Stadium and a showdown with Arsenal.

Keegan will hope for better fortunes than last season at both venues - Newcastle lost 6-0 at United days after Sam Allardyce's departure and went down 3-0 in north London twice inside four days under their new boss as their FA Cup dreams ended and their Barclays Premier League woes deepened.

However, right-hand man Terry McDermott is hoping the two games may come at a good time for his club.

He said: "Obviously it is always a difficult game when you go to Manchester United, and just as much at Arsenal.

"But if there is a good time to play Manchester United at Old Trafford, it is the start of the season.

"Don't forget, Reading went there last season and got a draw and in their next two matches, they also drew at Portsmouth and lost to Manchester City.

"Let's hope we can cash in by catching them early on like those teams did last season, and when they are still celebrating winning the Premier League and Champions League.

"And let's also hope that (Cristiano) Ronaldo, who scored five goals against us last season, is not with them come August."

The fixtures, published this morning, handed the Tyneside club a tough programme on the road before the turn of the year with West Ham and Everton waiting in the wings before the derby trip to Sunderland on October 25, and Chelsea and Portsmouth to follow before Christmas.

However, their home campaign is perhaps less taxing with Bolton and newly-promoted Hull the first two visitors to St James' Park and West Brom, Wigan and Stoke following before the turn of the year.

Sunderland make the short trip to their closest neighbours on January 31