Newcastle Utd are back in Premier League action on Saturday afternoon when Burnley are the visitors to St James’ Park for a 3pm kick off.  Yes, that's right 3PM. On a Saturday.
Eddie Howe will be hoping his side continue where they left off in their previous league game against Sheffield Utd, although he will first have to check in with his medical team to see who he has available before making his team selection.
 
Alexander Isak limped off with what looked like a calf problem in the Magpies victory over Man City in midweek while Bruno Guimaraes and Paul Dummett both required the services of the physio during that game.
Callum Wilson and Sven Botman missed the fixture due to respective hamstring and knee issues picked up at Bramall Lane while Martin Dubravka and Dan Burn both missed out due to illness.
Harvey Barnes and Joe Willock are both ruled out while Emil Krafth continues his rehabilitation from the ACL injury suffered last season.
 
Howe does however have Joelinton back in the squad and available following a short absence with a knee problem. 
 
Burnley head coach Vincent Kompany has his own injury worries with several key players likely to be unavailable. Summer signing Nathan Redmond is not expected to feature having missed the last three games through injury and he was joined on the treatment table this week by Marcus Benson.
Michael Obafemi, Hjalmar Ekdal and Darko Churlinov will also miss the trip through injury while Lyle Taylor misses out as he serves the third game of his three-game ban.
 
Speaking to the press ahead of the game Kompany said: “Newcastle is a big test if I’m honest. I’d always put it on the calendar as a big test.
 
“It’s difficult to predict because of the threats and the weapons they have, but there is something there for us in terms of having a good performance and hopefully a result as well”
“There are not many harder away grounds that are harder than that ground. I’m really interested in seeing where the team is against that level away from home. It’s something I’m looking forward to. If you play well at St James’, it’s not just about playing well, we want the result like every other game. It’s not arrogant to say that, why else are you in the Premier League?
“But a performance at St James’ Park should give you the feeling that you can perform everywhere in this league. That’s what you’re in the game for. For every tough opponent, every team of that calibre, there is a small opportunity to do something special and that you’ll be remembered for."
 
The referee for this game is Thomas Bramall, and his assistants are Simon Bennett and Dan Robathan. Fourth official is Matt Donohue and the two people with the unenviable task of deciding what is or isn’t a handball, an offside or whether a player is “active” or not are Jarred Gillett and Scott Ledger as they occupy the VAR ejector hot seat.
 
 

Raval's Grand Soirée: Celebrating the 25th National Curry Week Amidst Football's Return to Champions League Glory!

​In a pioneering collaboration, Raval Restaurant in Gateshead has teamed up with Steve Wraith of NUFC MATTERS, Toon Radio, and luminaries such as Adam Pearson, Matthew Renton, and John "Gibbo" Gibson. Together, they're taking the 25th anniversary of National Curry Week (2nd-7th October) up a notch, acknowledging curry's myriad contributions to British society.

From 2nd to 7th October, Raval is poised to roll out a bespoke menu.

And on 4th October, from 3pm onwards, the venue will metamorphose into a football celebration hub. A tempting 20% discount beckons NUFC MATTERS YouTube subscribers. For the discount you must book online at ravaluk.com using the code NUFC MATTERS 2023.

At the core of this celebration stands the iconic Chicken Tikka Masala, Britain's beloved dish. Raval's award-winning Tikka Masala is crafted with fresh ingredients and authentic Indian spices, all while introducing a British twist. Void of artificial colors and staying true to the rich taste of India, it signifies Raval's dedication to quality and tradition. Each order underscores Raval's commitment to the 'Feeding Families Northeast' cause.

Highlighting the Indian curry industry's annual contribution of £4 billion to the UK economy and the employment of over 100,000 individuals, Raval's festivity stands as a grand salute to this momentous input. It embodies a heartfelt nod from Newcastle Gateshead and the entire Northeast, all the while celebrating the beloved British dish, Chicken Tikka Masala.

Raval, renowned as the Best Indian Restaurant outside London and rubbing shoulders with Michelin-starred establishments in the capital, promises more than a meal – it's a sensory journey.

Now's the moment to rally behind their team, showcasing their unwavering love, as they immerse in both football and food. Delve into this majestic celebration at Ravaluk.com and keep pace with the exhilaration on socials @ravalrestaurant.

Juliet Sanders, CEO of Feeding Families, expressed her enthusiasm, saying, "We are delighted that Raval have chosen Feeding Families as their charity to support. The people of the north east are passionate about food and football, and we are equally fervent about assisting those currently facing hardships. By uniting, and contributing in any way we can, we hold the power to effect monumental change across the region. Let's rally behind our team and community in unison!"

Nas Islam, Raval's spirited Manager, emphasises, "Eat well, do good; it's curry with a purpose. Relish what you adore while backing a noble cause."

Steve Wraith echoes, "Football and food are the pulsating heartbeats of our community. A thriving Newcastle in sports means a bustling, vibrant region, both economically and emotionally."

About Raval Restaurant:
Nestled near the Tyne Bridge, Raval emerges as a luminous culinary beacon. Here, age-old traditions fuse with contemporary innovation, transforming each meal into a unique culinary experience.

Newcastle United are back in action in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday when they face Manchester City at St James’ Park. Kickoff is 8pm and the game is live on Sky.
 
The only bad news emanating from Eddie Howe’s pre match press conference was that Harvey Barnes will be out for “months rather than weeks" after hobbling off at Bramall Lane.
 
On Barnes, Howe said “I think it is an injury to the lower part of his foot just below the two. I think it is quite a substantial injury. We’ve had it scanned and we are waiting on what’s next, whether there’s surgery or not.”
“I don’t think it was from a tackle it was just pushing off to run, very unlucky. I don’t want to get too technical because I’m not qualified to do so but very unlucky.”
 
With a congested fixture programme ahead, Howe indicated that he would be making changes to his line-up with Burnley visiting Tyneside on Saturday and PSG making their first visit to St James’ Park for their Champions League clash next Wednesday.
 
Alexander Isak, Sandro Tonali, Jacob Murphy, Tino Livramento, Lewis Miley, Jamaal Lascelles, Martin Dubravka, Paul Dummett, Matt Ritchie, and Lewis Hall are all under consideration for the starting line-up as Howe manages his squad. 
Joelinton is reported to be back in training and Emil Krafth is continuing his rehab from what was a serious knee injury
Joe Willock remains sidelined.
 
Pep Guardiola has his own injury worries and has even joked that he may have to select himself such are his concerns over injuries and workload as City play the first of three consecutive away games starting tomorrow.
 
Rodri is suspended after his dismissal against Nott’m Forest, but Kelvin Phillips will start, while Jack Grealish and Mateo Kovacic are expected to return. John Stones, Bernardo Silva, and Kevin De Bruyne are all out through injury. Kyle Walker, Ruben Dias and possibly Erling Haarland may be rested but that still allows Guardiola the option of calling up the likes of Stefan Ortega, Nathan Ake, Rico Lewis, Jeremy Doku, and world cup winner Julian Alvarez.

The referee is Chris Cavanagh. He will be assisted by Ian Hussin and Matthew Wilkes, with Sam Allison the fourth official. There will be no VAR in operation  as it isn't used in the Carabao Cup until the semi-final stage. 

​The tie will be decided on the night with penalties if the teams are level after 90 minutes

Eddie Howe rang the rotational changes that he hinted of at his pre match press conference on Friday as Harvey Barnes, Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson came in to replace Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Alexander Isak who all took their places on the bench.
 
And it brought a positive start to the game as Newcastle started on the front foot against a Sheffield side looking for their first win of the season.
 
An effort from Callum Wilson on six minutes saw his effort saved by Fotheringham.
 
On the 9th minute however, Howe was forced to make an early substitution when Harvey Barnes went down with what appeared to be a leg injury. He was replaced by Anthony Gordon.
 
On 12 minutes a fine cross by McAtee saw the ball drop to Thomas, but the Blades fullback failed to make the most of the opportunity handed to him as he tamely knocked the ball wide of the six-yard box and out for a goal kick.
 
Newcastle once again seemed to be lacking the fluidity in midfield that served then so well last season, with passes going astray as the Blades stretched the game left and right, with Almiron and Anderson struggling to get into the game.
 
However, on 21 minutes Newcastle got the breakthrough when Anthony Gordon did well to keep the ball in play on the byline before pulling the ball back to Sean Longstaff, who rolled the ball in from 9 yards past the helpless Fotheringham.
 
Three minutes later and it could have been two as Newcastle failed to exploit a mistake by Fotheringham whose clearance went straight to Gordon, but his Crossfield ball was too long for Almiron, and it rolled out for a goal kick. 
 
On 27 minutes Ahmedhodžić was booked for a nasty challenge on Gordon and from the resulting free kick. Callum Wilson just failed to get a touch and the ball went straight out for a corner.
 
Gordon was certainly looking the liveliest of Newcastle’s front players as he continued to run at the Sheffield defenders, and he won a corner with a fine run that Newcastle worked well as Fotheringham was forced to tap a deflected shot over his cross bar from neat short corner play by Trippier.
 
Trippier opted to send the follow up corner in as a deeper in-swinger and it was met by a diving Dan Burn who nestled the ball into the bottom corner to make it 2:0
 
On 33 minutes a terrible tackle by Jack Robinson on Sean Longstaff took man and ball and the Sheffield player was rightly booked 
And it proved costly for the Blades when Trippier's free kick was met by Sven Botman whose well placed header dropped into the far corner for 3:0. 
 
In the celebration that followed, Elliott Anderson was struck by a bottle thrown from the stands but thankfully did not suffer any ill effects.
 
Gordon was then denied a penalty when he was tripped in the area by Bogle, but nothing was given, and Sheffield survived.
 
Newcastle were now dominant and Sheffield Utd had lost all their shape as well as their discipline and following another fine run, Gordon played in Wilson whose effort was smothered by Fotheringham with the resulting corner came to nothing as Gordon shot went high and wide into the stands.
 
In the final minutes of the first half Gordon again threatened with yet another fine run and his resulting shot was tipped over the bar for a corner. 
 
Benny Traore replaced Bogle at the start of the second half as Heckingbottom tried to inject something different into his team, reshuffling his back four and hoping for some something positive emerging from his front men. 
 
Newcastle should have had a free kick on 48 minutes when Longstaff tried to play a one two on the edge of the box only to be  brought down, however referee Stuart Atwell waved play on.
 
Sven Botman was in the wars on 53 minutes when he went down heavily in an aerial challenge and seemed to be struggling but he was soon back on his feet to no ill effect.
 
On 55 minutes some brilliant football saw Bruno slide a pass towards the advancing Fabien Schar who slipped a pass through to Trippier. His perfectly flighted cross landed on the head of Callum Wilson who had the simplest of chances to nod it in from 4 yards to make it 4. And in doing so Newcastle created a bit of history as they had never previously scored four goals in a game at Bramall Lane.
 
On 60 minutes Newcastle thought they has a fifth when Gordon fired in an effort from 12 yards only for his shot to be parried by Fotheringham into the path of Almiron whose slotted it into the net, however  it was ruled out for offside. One minute later and it was five however when the majestic Gordon cut in from the left and fired in a right foot shot that flew across the despairing Fotheringham and into the bottom corner.
 
67 minutes and it was six for Newcastle as Bruno Guimarães threaded another trademark slide rule pass that split the Sheffield defence and Almiron got his goal, slotting it past the keeper with ease. 
 
Howe then rang the changes bringing on Livramento, Tonali and Isak for Trippier, Almiron and Wilson but that didn’t stop the onslaught as Bruno got the goal that his performance deserved on 73 minutes, when he latched on to a misguided shot from Longstaff and nestled the ball into the top corner from 10 yards.
 
Anderson then went close on 79 minutes when his header met a corner from Tonali only to be tipped over the bar by a stretching Fotheringham.
 
Howe introduced Lewis Hall on 80 minutes replacing Guimarães who left the field to exalted applause from the 4000 travelling supporters behind Fotheringham’s goal.
 
As the last five minutes of the game approached the play was down to walking pace as Newcastle sat back and Sheffield pondered on where it all went wrong; conceding seven. 
 
But they didn’t have long to ponder when on 87 minutes Alexander Isak piled on the misery when he latched on to a poor header and broke clear to slot the coolest of efforts into Fotheringham’s goal with the keeper left on his backside. 

​8:0. Eight different scorers and a record away win for the Magpies.

Oh; and yes. Another clean sheet!

Speaking to the press ahead of Sundays fixture Eddie Howe was his usual philosophical and diplomatic self when it came to assessing the opposition describing this as a “Difficult game".  
​"Brammall Lane is a tough place to go any time of the year. They’re a good team, a direct team who will ask questions physically. A counter attacking team whose set plays are very strong. There are Lots of areas of their team that can hurt us if we’re not right so big challenge is to mentally approach the game like we did the Brentford match where we were spot on in our mind set and need to get all the basics right if we are going to do well from this game”.
 
Howe gave little else away regarding his squad, simply adding that he was “still missing the two Joe's in midfield but apart from that I think we're good. We hope with Joelinton that he could possibly be back sooner, but with Joe Willock it will definitely be after the international break." Martin Dubravka is expected to be available after reporting unwell before the Milan game.
“We're going to have to rotate the squad. We don't want to make wholesale changes in any one game. I don't think that does our rhythm any good. Tweaks as we go along”.
 
On Callum Wilson, Howe stated that they were always monitoring Callum, his load, and his training to get the best out of him. “That doesn’t change whether it’s a single-game week or a three-game week, we have to monitor his training and make sure we give ourselves and Callum the best chance of staying fit through the season.”
 
Questioned on the midweek European adventure Howe responded to the question of what the game had taken out of his squad saying Those that played haven’t trained. Physically they can’t — that would be negative taking more energy from them. We probably won’t train fully before Sunday. We will be ‘training’ — but not to our maximum level” He added `’I don’t think anyone can measure emotionally what Milan took out of us”.
 
Asked about his surprise selection of Jacob Murphy against Milan and his reaction to the pre match anthem, Howe responded: “Jacob was magnificent last year. He's very reliable, you know what you're going to get from him. He did a really good job for the team.
I've seen the video. I don't know if he's overwhelmed but he's just taking it in. Rightly so, for a lot of our players. I think Jacob was savouring that moment.
Magnificent last year Always contributed, very reliable never lets us down is an attacking threat as well and does a good job for the team”
 
Howe also responded to a question regarding his goalkeeper Nick Pope, who put in an outstanding performance on Tuesday Night. He referred to him as a highly motivated individual who always wants to train and puts himself forward to do more as he wants to do more as he wants to maximise every moment of his career. He described him as highly driven; a great professional and his last two displays were ‘really good”.
 
The hosts meanwhile have numerous injury concerns.
Daniel Jebbison and Rhys Norrington-Davies remain out with long-term problems.
John Fleck, Rhian Brewster, Max Lowe, Ben Osborn, John Egan, and George Baldock are also out through injury.
Ollie McBurnie is suspended after picking up two yellow cards in their last outing: the 2-1 defeat to Tottenham.
 
As a club the Blades were rocked on Thursday by news of the death of Sheffield Women’s player Maddy Cusack.
In a statement the club said: "Sheffield United Football Club is devastated to report the sad news of the passing of Maddy Cusack. Maddy, a women's team player since 2019 and marketing executive for the Football Club, passed away on Wednesday."
 Maddy had been with Sheffield Ladies for the previous five years had just signed a new player contract in July.
 Her cause of death has not been revealed. 
 

Newcastle Utd are back in action on Sunday when they visit Brammall Lane to face Sheffield Utd.
The Blades are still searching for their first win in the league this season having suffered four defeats and one draw, although they did come close in their last outing at Spurs, with the home team snatching all three points in a 2:1 win having trailed to a Gustavo Hamer goal on 77 minutes. Spurs two goals came during the sixteen minutes of time added on by the referee, who also had time during that period to dismiss Sheffield striker Ollie McBurnie for a second bookable offence. McBurnie will therefore miss the game through suspension.
 
Those additional 16 minutes led to an amazing outburst by the Blades head coach Paul Heckinbottom during his post-match interview where he accused referees in general and match official Peter Bankes and his assistants of what he termed as ‘ruining the game’ over their interpretation of timewasting and game management. 
Heckingbottom must now wait and see if he faces any sanctions from the FA. A fine, or even a ban, are the possible outcomes should the authorities deem his comments out of order.
 
Despite results not going their way, Heckingbottom’s team have put in some solid performances this season and can count themselves unlucky not to have more points on the board, with all four of their losses coming by a single goal. This suggests that Newcastle could be in for a testing afternoon.  
 
However, the Magpies are coming into a bit of form themselves and having kept clean sheets in their last two outings will be looking to keep their defensive form going. 
 
However, its goals that have not been at a premier for Howe’s team since the 5:1 drubbing of Aston Villa in the season opener back in August which suggests that Callum Wilson could be straight back into the starting 11, having sat out all but the final 30 minutes in the San Siro.
 
The Referee for this fixture is Stuart Attwell. And his assistants running the line will be Con Hatzidakis and James Mainwaring. The Fourth official strutting around the technical area will be Anthony Taylor. And the unenviable task of staying awake in the VAR booth and attempting when called upon to draw straight lines using the PGMOL’s own version of an Etch A Sketch with a dodgy dial is down to Darren England and his assistant Neil Davies.
Mainwaring incidentally was the assistant VAR in last weekend’s game against Brentford at St James’ Park. 
 
KO is 4:30pm uk time and is live on Sky Sports.

​Eddie Howe hit back in his post-match press conference that he set up his team to be too defensive minded as they played out a 0:0 draw in the San Siro: "Our first thought wasn’t to defend deep or to protect our goal, far from it, that’s not how we set up our team. We tried to be aggressive, we tried to get to the Milan centre-backs and goalkeeper in their build up phase.
"[We had] Mixed success with that. I thought we were a little bit loose in our defending in that first half – hence the number of chances Milan created but we were very good in and around our box, hence why we got the point."
 
To be fair to the local press who follow Newcastle United any criticism of Howe’s set up seemed to be coming mainly from national media figures, coming off the back of their own hyped up and sometimes over the top pre match reporting on the club’s return to champions League action after a 20 year gap
 
Reflecting on the game as well as the atmosphere generated inside the San Siro Howe said "I thought the crowd were very good for Milan tonight. It was a hostile atmosphere for us, the players had to adjust to that and that's why I don't think you can underestimate the performance and the point that we get. 
"I think it will look better and better as time goes on because it's a new experience for a lot of people - me included - tonight and hopefully we can grow from this into the tournament. 
"Again, I'll praise the players for the defensive qualities that they showed today. We know we can do better with the ball, but hopefully that will come."

Newcastle Utd played out a hard-fought draw in their first Champions League game in 20 years thanks in no small part to ten out of ten performances from goalkeeper Nick Pope: and captain Kieran Trippier.
 
Yes, things could have been so much different if Milan’s attacking force had taken their chances in the sweltering San Siro heat. But they didn’t and it is to the credit of their resilience and organisation that Howe’s warriors returned to Tyneside with their first Champions League point of the campaign.
 
Milan came out of the blocks with something to prove to their exasperated supporters following their derby defeat to local rivals Internazionale as they set about Newcastle from the first kick.
 
Wave after wave of Milan attacks peppered the Magpies back line but the Rossoneri were thwarted by a combination of fine saves, last ditch tackles and poor finishing as a slow out of the blocks Newcastle simply couldn’t get out of their own half.
 
Safe after save and block after block seemed to be all Newcastle had to offer in a first half an hour as the magpies struggled to get their passing game together. But collectively Newcastle dug in and weathered everything Milan threw at them and certainly grew in confidence as last season’s semi-finalists grew more and more frustrated by their own inability to make their chances count.
 
If their first 45 minutes of frustration could be laid at Pope’s door, then the second 45 was more to do with the collective resolve that Newcastle displayed as Milan ran out of ideas.
 
A lot is made of team spirit and the travelling 4,000 inside the San Siro were witnessing a textbook second half display, driven by captain Kieran Trippier; ably supported by Dan Burn and Sean Longstaff.
Longstaff held the midfield together while Sandro Tonali was occupied containing the running of former Chelsea start Ruben Loftus Cheek, with Bruno searching to find space to get his team moving forward.
hard working performances were also put in by Anthony Gordon and surprise starter Jacob Murphy and Newcastle were grateful for a last-ditch clearance from Miguel Almiron who had replaced Murphy for the last half hour. 
 
Newcastle could have snatched all three points in the 95th minute when Longstaff unleashed a shot from 20 yards that was tipped over the bar by Milan’s substitute goalkeeper Marco Sportiello. The ensuing corner came to nothing, and the referee brought proceedings to an end before a second corner could be taken.
 
Newcastle are off the mark with a point. The team showed that they can stand toe to toe with last season’s semi-finalists, can handle a hostile stadium and the pressure that goes with it. 
 

​Its not until you witness a player who was so revered returning to the San Siro that you realise just how big a club AC Milan are and how big a part football plays in the football mad City. Given that this was a Newcastle United press conference the number of Italian press who were present gave an insight into what Sandro Tonali’s departure meant and how his career on Tyneside will be watched with interest back in his hometown.
 
Tonali was greeted by a throng of Italian media who were eager to hear his words and he didn’t disappoint.
 
Asked about settling in on Tyneside Tonali had this to say “After the first match I felt at ease. I was happier thanks to Howe and the whole team. They have really helped me and with my personal life.
My team-mates have been amazing. Especially with the language. Understanding and communicating with the others. Everything changes after moving to the Premier League”.
 
Naturally his fellow countrymen wanted to hear his thoughts on turning out at the San Siro in black and white rather than black and red and he answered in the only way he could having spent the previous three seasons there in what he described at the time as his dream move.
 “As I said, I think I'm going to feel the emotion tomorrow at 90 per cent. Today it's at 10 per cent. I've met some people I'm familiar with at Milan and have been in touch with them. It's hard emotions because they don't happen all the time in football. They're special and I'll remember them forever. This is the team I support and the team that gave me a chance to succeed. Things have completely changed. I am here as a rival, I have to manage that but it won't be a problem”.
 
On the game at hand Tonali had this to say “Tomorrow's game will be intense. A tight game. We want to respond to the intensity Milan will display.
I don't think you can judge a team on one game so Milan lost the derby, but it cannot be solely judged on that”.
 
He was also asked to say who he thought his father, a lifelong Milan supporter would be rooting for tomorrow and at this point Tonali junior played his diplomatic card as much to protect his father than anything else; family harmony being the operative word no doubt.
 “I don't know who he will support. I don't want to be in his head, but I think he will take care of me! I hope he will support me but it's very difficult to change a supporter's mind about their team.
I think he will support Milan and support me. Maybe he will want a draw?”
 
And having heard that a certain Zlatan Ibrahimovic had paid a visit to the Milan training complex this morning Tonali had this to say: He [Zlatan] and his good mood is contagious. He is one of the most experienced players. He can transfer good vibes to young people. Very spontaneous and authentic. He doesn't prepare, he just does what he feels”. Who would have guessed!

It was a case of Stormy Monday in Milan as torrential rain played havoc with Eddie Howe’s planned press conference ahead of tomorrow night’s Champions League encounter with AC Milan.
With the streets around the San Siro resembling more the canals of Venice than the anticipated late summer sun metropolis of Italy's northern Lombardy region, the planned press conference was put on hold while the assembled northeast press pack did some late revision with their Italian phrase books and stocked up on Moretti and breadsticks.
 
Howe’s team delayed their departure for Milan until Monday lunchtime, as they ran through their paces with an early morning training session at Darsley Park but weather conditions across northern Italy caused havoc with flights across the region, putting their arrival back a few hours
 
AC Milan head coach Stefano Pioli held his own press conference immediately after his squad trained at their Milanello training complex on Monday morning and he had this to say about the group.  “We know how tough this group is: PSG probably have a slight advantage compared to the others, but the group is evenly balanced, and every point will prove vital”.
 
"We're aware how important it is to start off well. Bettering last season's semi-final means arriving to the final hurdle, but we just need to take one game at a time. Newcastle are the classic English team: intense, aggressive, physical, but also highlighting their technical quality.
On the return of Sandro Tonali to the San Siro Pioli was diplomatically complimentary, saying: "It'll be exciting to meet back up with Tonali, as it will for him to see AC Milan again. Sandro was very important in our growth, which took us to the title, so we'll receive him with great affection."
 
When Howe finally arrived, he apologised to the assembled press for the delay and immediately got stuck into the questions. And after explaining that delays were part and parcel of travelling, Howe announced that Tuesday’s game would be his first champions league game.
I've never attended a UCL game - I've also been too busy working! It will be a proud moment for everyone after so long away. We have to be at our best”.
 
It was natural that Howe would be probed on likely formation and line up, but he played a straight bat when asked about Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson.
Isak: “He's really impressed. The initial injury was a blow but allowed him to settle in. When he came back, he was outstanding. He's a super technician”.
Wilson: Callum's ok. Normal preparation for him. 
So, no giveaways there!
 
On Tonali he was a little more forthcoming. “He's really committed to Newcastle. Living there, the language and everything we wanted him to do. It's very difficult to transfer from another country”. And when quizzed about signing him Howe continued the compliments, saying: “really like him as a person. Serious towards his game, which I like. He's a leader. Excited for what he can be for us - both now and the future”.
 
And questioned on Milan’s weekend defeat the diplomacy continued as Howe pointed out that Tuesday is a “Different competition. Different day. We can only focus on ourselves. We have to start the game well with the atmosphere. The start will be key”.