£38m man Harvey Barnes got on the scoresheet in South Korea for Newcastle United
Newcastle United star Harvey Barnes insists that pre-season has been a "character" building experience after putting a smile on the fans' faces with a goal against Tottenham Hotspur.
The £38million man could form part of a three-man attack against Aston Villa on the opening weekend of the season with the team picking itself in the final third. Barnes, Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga could lead the line of attack against Unai Emery's side with Alexander Isak's position at the club looking ominous.
Newcastle have not won a game in pre-season but stopped the run of defeats with a 1-1 draw against Spurs thanks to his equaliser in Seoul.
Barnes will be keen to get another goal or two in friendlies against Espanyol and Atletico Madrid ahead of the weekend double header at St James' Park.
Barnes said: "The result isn't the be all and end all but we are at that stage now we want to start picking it up. We need wins and momentum building up for the season.
"It is a mixture for us, confidence and getting into a rhythm. Scoring goals is a habit you want to get into ahead of the new season.
"We have a tough test with two more games, then the season starts."
The ex-Leicester City man then added: "We had lost the last three and you want to pride yourself on winning. We didn't win but we didn't lose and came back from behind which was good.
"It is building that character that we are going to need next year."
The game resulted in a farewell appearance for Son Heung-min who left the field to a guard of honour in Seoul.
Barnes told MBN News: "It was a nice moment. Son was an incredible player in the Premier League, and it was a great joy to have him here.
"His style of play inspires others, myself included. He has been a credit to the Premier League."
The clash also resulted in Seung-soo Park getting a couple of opportunities on the Far East tour. Initially, Park had been set to stay with the Under-21s, but impressed in two cameos.
Barnes said: "Park has made a good impression we obviously have not had a lot of time to see him but in two games he has come on and done very well.
"He was very popular in South Korea, he is an exciting player and we need to give him time to settle in now."
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