Newcastle kick-off the weekend’s Premier League action with a trip to Nottingham Forest on Friday. Eddie Howe gave his press conference ahead of the clash this morning. The head coach revealed he hopes to have the majority of his squad available but did stress a few players have missed training.
One of those is Callum Wilson, though Howe didn’t identify any players. The striker confirmed on the Footballers’ Football Podcast that he has missed training this week. Here is what he stated the following while referencing Alexander Isak:
“I’ve not trained in over a week now. So that’s why we have brought him to come into the team and not let it hamper when someone comes out.
“That’s what we’re trying to build, to get players who are almost as good as each other.
“It was a great performance from him [Isak]! But as someone who plays in his position you’re thinking ‘ah it’s going to take me another week to get back in’.”
This is nothing new for Wilson, who missed training towards the end of last week with an illness. He still managed to make a cameo in the 2-1 win against Wolves. It appears that Isak will be getting a second straight start with Wilson available from the bench.
Howe welcomes the competition as it keeps players on their toes. Miguel Almiron was also used from the bench last weekend with Howe confirming it was to rest the club’s leading goalscorer.
Howe said the following about squad rotation per Lee Ryder’s Twitter account:
“I’ve always said competition for places is key to sustaining results. We have that within the squad when everybody is fit. When we don’t, the squad is quite light in terms of bodies.
“I think it is vital you have the opportunity to do that (rest players) it is a long season with cups and Premier League, and also the way we play is demanding. We ask a lot of the players.”
Howe will be without at least three players with Emil Krafth, Anthony Gordon, and Joelinton ruled out. He still has plenty of options to make some changes but may opt to keep with the eleven that picked up the crucial win last weekend.
Howe also revealed that Gordon’s injury is slightly worse than expected. The Shields Gazette has published the following from Howe on the January signing:
“The scan wasn’t plain sailing, it wasn’t a shoe-in. It wasn’t a week or two injury.
“It’s slightly more serious than that, so we’re doing everything we can to get him back as quickly as possible.
“At the moment he’s in a period where he’s staying off the grass, staying off his feet, and the injury’s healing. It feels good, but he’s got work to do to get ready for that game.”
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215 comments so far
Essex Geordie Bill
Mar 16, 2023 at 7:31 PM
Comment #201Taco
It seems that Wood isn’t exactly impressing at Notts Forest. It was a great deal to offload him to them but will they ever want to deal with us again? 🙂
It is a pity he cant start against us! 🙂
Ibizatoon
Mar 16, 2023 at 7:31 PM
Comment #202Munster…It’s a process. We’re still really early in the project. It took City a few seasons to get there and then a few more to actually establish the team they are today.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 16, 2023 at 7:32 PM
Comment #203Just checked. Saints tickets sold out. So, if anyone on the blog can get 2 tickets…… I will there anyway Magic.
lochinvar
Mar 16, 2023 at 7:34 PM
Comment #204Oh please, the guy’s deluded.
Full of more self importance than Klopp and that’s saying something
Gary Lineker thought he had a “special agreement” with the BBC’s director general to tweet about refugees and immigration, his agent has said.
The Taco Taker
Mar 16, 2023 at 7:37 PM
Comment #205EGB, I often defended Wood, especially as we had few options when we signed him and I do think he helped keep us up beyond the 2 goals he scored last season. Getting £15M back from him is a good deal though.
I do prefer he is not playing against us it would be typical for him to score vs us if he could play.
As for Forest who they sign is their problem. I think their fans are critical of quite a lot of their vast number of signings from what I saw on their board.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 16, 2023 at 7:37 PM
Comment #206Magic. You And Ruddy, good job I am 1/2 Irish.
Sir Pugalot, the Dutch Bulldog
Mar 16, 2023 at 7:42 PM
Comment #207Also up on Weekend 25th March.In the Bay. TTT and John J plus Rabbit. Anyone else?
Swablr
Mar 16, 2023 at 7:58 PM
Comment #208Magic, if you’re there, My apologies for being late to the party again.
I saw your post about being retired for a year and how it just seems like yesterday. I tell you, I retired 19 years ago and it still feels like yesterday. The age old illusion that time passes faster as the years go by.
It reminds me of a song by one of my favourite current singer/songwriters. The “train” he refers to is a metaphor for the speed his life is passing him by. See what you think.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sHhhTtqWcOM&ab_channel=Suitofboots
The Taco Taker
Mar 16, 2023 at 7:59 PM
Comment #209Pug, prepare for John J and I to share postbox locations!
I thought you mentioned Martoon was coming too?
The Taco Taker
Mar 16, 2023 at 8:00 PM
Comment #210From NUFC.com;
Thursday saw Switzerland announce a 24 man squad for European qualifiers against Belarus and Israel.
Missing from that selection is Fabian Schar, with the Swiss FA press release listing the Newcastle defender as being unavailable due to an unspecified injury.
Swiss radio station RTN then reported that Schar will “stay in Newcastle to treat recurring foot pain”.
It remains to be seen whether he’ll be in the squad for Newcastle’s Premier League visit to Nottingham Forest on Friday.
magicmac54
Mar 16, 2023 at 8:12 PM
Comment #211Assassins
So your living in Arizina in the United States, Saint Patrick`s day is huge in the states mate, do you occasionally visit the United Kingdom or Ireland Assassins? So your Dad is from Kilkenny otherwise known as the cats, a marvelous Hurling county mate, if memory serves me right i think Irish Rob is from Kilkenny.
magicmac54
Mar 16, 2023 at 8:21 PM
Comment #212Sir Peter the Pug
Peter if your both coming from Friday the 28th to Sunday the 30th you can have the use of one of the bedrooms plus the use of the apartment for a total of £100 if that is reasonable enough for you mate?
magicmac54
Mar 16, 2023 at 8:29 PM
Comment #213Swablr
Good evening Swablr mate, how`s the form with you recently, i take it you`re still kept quite busy with the music lad? On retirement that year just flew in exactly a year on Tuesday but it felt more like about 4 months. Looking forward to meeting with you once more mate, not long to wait now my friend HWTL
The Taco Taker
Mar 16, 2023 at 8:41 PM
Comment #214A new name in the endless list of players we are linked with – Gabri Veiga
https://www.caughtoffside.com/2023/03/16/newcastle-ready-to-pay-35m-for-midfield-talent-player-will-earn-4-4m-a-season/
In other news Sutton has predicted we will win 1-0 tomorrow. I am sticking with a 3-1 Toon win.
JohnJ
Mar 17, 2023 at 12:04 AM
Comment #215Well here we are,
Happy St Patrick’s Day to our friends from over the wee pond! The Emerald Isle is awash with Leprechauns and Guinness
🙂