Howe on team news, the St James' Park atmosphere and transfer plans
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League opener against Southampton at St James' Park (15:00 BST).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
Howe is happy with the condition of his squad going into 2024-25: "We are in a better position than we were for the majority of last season. We have got Nick Pope back fully fit - I touch wood with all of these as we have training later. Joe Willock is in a much better place. I wouldn't say he is 100% match fit. He has trained well and is certainly on the road towards the Joe Willock we know. We will have Sandro [Tonali] soon too. We still have the legacy of the players who were injured last season, though, such as Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman."
The Magpies boss is optimistic for the new season: "That is always the plan - to keep your best players fit. With our style of play being as intense as it, we can still do that. It has been managed really well. We lost Callum [Wilson] but apart from that, we are in a full bill of health. The squad is very healthy and motivated. Fitness-wise we look very good. Overall I am happy."
Howe elaborated further on Wilson's fitness: "Callum will be [back] in the early season. A couple of games in. He is making great progress and feeling good and wants to progress faster, but we are trying to manage his return."
On Newcastle's transfer plans: "Everyone is looking for the best players. When everyone is fit we have a very good squad, so to sign players and make your squad better is difficult. What you don't want to do is make a signing and look back and it hasn't kicked you on. That's something you have to avoid."
Howe hopes the Magpies can inspire their fans at St James' Park on Saturday: "We know the supporters will be with us. We know how important they are and the atmosphere at St James' Park last season was incredible. But we have to do the right things in terms of intention and all of the right things that can make the difference, at home, we have to repeat from last year."
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