DeAndre Yedlin feels that a busy summer on the international front has kept his fitness ticking over ahead of the Magpies’ return to pre-season training.

More than six months on from his last cap, the 23-year-old returned to action with the United States in June, helping the Stars and Stripes to four points from six in their quest to qualify for next summer’s World Cup in Russia.

After appearing in a friendly draw against Venezuela, Yedlin grabbed an assist as Bruce Arena’s side saw off Trinidad & Tobago in Denver, and completed another 90 minutes as they held out for a share of the spoils at Mexico’s intimidating Estadio Azteca.

With just four games remaining in CONCACAF’s final round, the US now find themselves well-placed to make it to an eighth successive World Cup.

And, on the eve of Independence Day, Yedlin sat down to reflect on his time across the Atlantic, and joked as to how he might celebrate the occasion…

“Maybe I’ll turn up for training dressed in something American-themed!” he laughed as he spoke to nufc.co.uk. “I’m sure everyone will be celebrating back home, and I’ll probably send out a tweet, but I’ll probably not be doing anything major.

“It was good to be back with the (national) team. I hadn’t been with the team for a while. It was nice to get to know the new manager, as well. To take four points from the two qualifiers was a good result for us. We’re third in the table now, and after the way we started, that’s a good spot for us to be in.

“The Mexico game was intense, and it was very tough because of the altitude. We didn’t have a lot of time to prepare for it, but it was a good game. It was the type of game you want to be involved in, because it’s a derby, basically. It was fun.

“It’s been an interesting vacation. I tried to get myself some rest, but I had to try and stay fit for the national team. It’s been about three weeks since the Mexico game, and I’ve tried to keep a balance. It’s enough time to lose some fitness, but you don’t want to overdo it, because you need to give your body a break as well.

“It’s been tough to balance but I think I’ve adjusted pretty well, and I’ve come back feeling pretty good and fit.”

It is almost two months since United clinched the Championship title in dramatic fashion, but Yedlin admits that the time seems to have flown by.

“It feels like yesterday, honestly,” he said. “The vacation has gone pretty fast. It is definitely still in my head – it was a great moment, and I’m sure it always will be.

“I’m sure there’ll be a lot of running this week, but you’ve got to do it. When the football kicks back in, though, it’ll definitely be very enjoyable.”