Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Sunday’s Premier League game against Arsenal at St James’ Park (kick-off 16:30 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
-
There are no major injuries following Newcastle’s Carabao Cup victory over Bradford City on Wednesday, but there are a “couple of players to check” on before Sunday.
-
Jacob Murphy is fit and available to face Arsenal after missing out on the midweek squad, but the Magpies are “manging his workload” as he battles an ongoing Achilles tendon issue.
-
Meanwhile, Jacob Ramsey’s recovery is going “really well” after he sustained an injury against Leeds last month, with his return set for the other side of the next international break in October.
-
Howe said record signing Nick Woltemade cannot be compared to recent number nines at Newcastle because he has a “different profile”, but the Magpies boss is “really impressed” with the start he has made.
-
On facing Arsenal: “It’s always been competitive against Arsenal in the games that I’ve been here, and there has been an edge to those games because both teams are desperate to win. We encourage that. The more competitive we are, the better we play – so we need to bring that side of our game.”
-
Howe has won his past three home games against the Gunners but said he will not be thinking about that this weekend and only sees it as a “fresh game and fresh opportunity to impress”.
-
He added: “We draw a line under the past. The past is irrelevant but you need to take whatever confidence you can so we’ll look to do that, but Arsenal are a good team.”
Listen to more from Howe on BBC Sounds
Follow all of Friday’s Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day’s football news
Listen to commentary of Newcastle v Arsenal on BBC Radio 5 Live at 16:30 on Sunday
Read the full article here
