Newcastle United are set to take on a former player when Rayo Vallecano visit St James' Park on Saturday.

The two sides are playing out a midseason friendly to get ready for the resumption of competitive club action.

Florian Lejeune, who was not happy with the way his stint at Newcastle ended, will get a chance to meet his old teammates and the club's supporters.

"It is a friendly game but one which is brimming in emotion, full of pleasure and a host of other feelings for me as it will be great to catch up with some former team-mates with whom we spent some great times together," Lejeune told ChronicleLive.

"We shared a lot of laughs and lots of memories together.

"Also, catching up with the physio and other members of staff at the club. For me, it is really important to have this chance to see them again and to spend a little time with them.

"Unfortunately, I never really had a proper chance to say goodbye to them there so I sincerely hope I'll get a chance to do it this week. I also really want to thank everyone for all of the great support I received for so many years, whether this was after each game or even when I was suffering from injury. I received a lot of messages and I really do want to be able to thank everyone."