St James' Park is the main contender to host one of England's two matches before Euro 2024… as Newcastle United aim to welcome the Three Lions for the first time in almost 20 years

• England will play two pre-tournament matches before going to Euro 2024
• St James' Park is emerging as a contender to host one of the two matches
• Trent and Bellingham can play together but they can't get in each other's way. Iako

The Football Association will take England on the road ahead of Euro 2024, with St James' Park emerging as a prime option for staging one of the team's friendlies.

Mail sport It is understood that one of Gareth Southgate's side's two pre-tournament matches will be played away from Wembley, with Newcastle appearing as favorites to play one of the matches. This will be the first time in nearly two decades that St James' Park will host the national team.

In March 2005, midfielders Steven Gerrard and David Beckham scored a 2-0 winner for Sven-Goran Eriksson's side against Azerbaijan on Tyneside.

It is expected that the England match, which will be held outside its stadium next summer, will be the first of two preparation matches before the European Championship, which begins on June 14.

The final match before the tournament will be held at the National Stadium in London.

The FA is still to approve the venue for the England match away from Wembley, but while St James's Stadium has not been confirmed as the location, it is a major contender.

Old Trafford was the last English stadium to host the national team other than Wembley. England beat North Macedonia at home to Manchester United in June.

The North East has become a regular site for England's pre-tournament warm-up matches in recent years.

The Stadium of Light hosted England's 2-1 win over Australia ahead of the 2016 European Championship, with Marcus Rashford and Wayne Rooney scoring the goals in the win over Sunderland.

Before Euro 2020 was postponed, Southgate's men played two intense matches – against Austria and Romania – in Middlesbrough.

Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford scored once in each match at the Riverside Stadium as England won 1-0.

With the opening warm-up match scheduled for the start of June, any English players who feature in the Champions League final at Wembley on June 1 are likely to be unavailable.

Likewise, the Europa League final will be held on May 29, a date that could prevent any England players from participating in the first friendly match.