Owen Humphreys/Pa Wire

It’s almost time to slide that shiny £45 disc into your games console and gawp over FIFA 16’s sparkly new features and polished player database. Rating rumours have swept the internet over the last few days with football fans eager to see if their beloved superstars have been upgraded or downgraded on the latest release of the remarkably realistic football simulation.

Player ratings have started to seep through the walls of EA Sports’ website and while they’re still unconfirmed they are understood to be very likely of being correct.

Newcastle’s transfer dealings over the summer have given the Magpies’ fans something to get excited about and despite not having won a game this season, there are positives to be taken from Steve McClaren’s brief spell at St James’ Park. Could the new additions finally enhance the Toon Army’s virtual stature? Last year...