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Mo Diame has warned that Newcastle United could have to park the bus in the majority of their opening fixtures after being handed a tough start to the Premier League season.

The Magpies drew 0-0 away to FC Porto in a friendly game in Portugal on Saturday night, and Diame feels that the clash set the tone for Toon players as they got men behind the ball and frustrated the former European Cup winners.

Newcastle’s tactics even had Porto fans jeering and whistling at them in the closing stages as they wasted time and ground out a goal-less statement to take the shine off the club’s 125th year anniversary game.

However, even though they had to rely on some big saves from Martin Dubravka it was classed as an impressive result against a Champions League outfit.

United will now face Tottenham, Man City, Chelsea and Arsenal in four of their opening five matches in the top flight.

Diame told the Chronicle from Portugal: “We have a big start to the season and it will be similar to the Porto game.

“If we can try to keep the ball in the same manner we will be OK.”

(Image: Newcastle United)

But he feels that Newcastle’s match practice will be more important than overall results during the remainder of pre-season.

He said: “The result at FC Porto was not important.

“I think we played the game well and FC Porto were a good similarity to Tottenham so it was a good game for us to get ready for that first game.

“We defended quite a lot and we will probably do that against Tottenham too.

“It’s good to see the team fighting even though it is a friendly game.

“We will keep fighting together and that is the way to get some results.”

Diame got another 72 minutes in the tank against Porto as far as his match fitness is concerned and he has now played in all three friendly games.

Newcastle have got through pre-season relatively unscathed with the injury to Florian Lejeune the only sour note to their pre-season plans so far.

He said: “We know we have to play around 45 minutes of 60 minutes each game now.

“I am happy with that because I need more minutes and want to be ready for Tottenham.”

Newcastle travelled north to Braga on Sunday and trained in the shadow of the impressive Estádio Municipal shortly after arriving.

They will now spend a couple of days here ahead of Wednesday night’s clash with SC Braga to conclude their pre-season tour of Portugal.

Diame admitted the togetherness will not do Newcastle players any harm after spending the week in a hotel in Portugal.

The former Hull City and West Ham star said: “It’s always good.

“Everyone knows that this team is the same team we had in the Championship.

“In the meantime we are together and all the players spend time with each.

“After three years we know that we are all fighting for the cause.