Saturday promises to be a special day at St James' Park as top flight football returns on Tyneside after a 13-day hiatus. Top flight clubs will finally be able to pay respects to The Queen following her passing earlier this month.
For Eddie Howe and his Newcastle United staff, the tie with Bournemouth will mark the first time he has faced his former side since parting ways with the south coast outfit in 2020. The Magpies boss isn't one to get sentimental but did admit he owes his current position to his former club.
Speaking to the media on Friday, Howe admitted his gratitude to Bournemouth and everyone connected to the club but was his usual focused self as he looked ahead to Newcastle's Premier League return.
