There is still uncertainty over right-back Danny Simpson’s future at St James’s Park, and Santon is expected to move to the right this coming season.
Simpson is out of contract in a year’s time, and talks over a new deal stalled late last season, with the 25-year-old expected to move to Reading or Fulham.
Alan Pardew: “I’m looking at all options.
“There are going to be times when we need to throw people around.
“Davide Santon’s the left-back here – that’s his favourite position – but it might well be that Davide and Ryan Taylor start at right-back and left-back.
“I’m keeping my options open, and pre-season’s a time to experiment, which we are doing. So far, so good.”