Here are your Newcastle United headlines for December 5.
Isak's comeback
Newcastle United record signing Alexander Isak will step up his fitness in Riyadh this week as Eddie Howe aims to have the Sweden international back in contention for the festive period.
An untimely thigh injury suffered on international duty in the autumn meant Isak never got the chance to build on his first two goals for the club. But Howe will assess the £63million man during warm weather training in the next few days before deciding whether he will feature against Al Hilal on Thursday.
Should he get through that game unscathed he would get another chance to build on his minutes at home to Rayo Vallecano later this month at St James' Park and have an eye on the League Cup last 16 clash against AFC Bournemouth.
You can read the full story here.
Botman interview
Sven Botman admits Newcastle United's warm weather trip to Saudi Arabia will be fantastic for team building as the Magpies look to continue their fine run of form in the second-half of the season. The Dutchman and his Newcastle co-stars flew out to the Middle East over the weekend and have started preparing for a friendly with Saudi side Al Hilal this week.
Eddie Howe's massively benefitted from two similar trips earlier this year and the Toon boss is hoping for another positive trip away to galvanise his playing squad after an impressive start to the campaign. Speaking to club media, Botman admits keeping team spirit high is priority number one during the trip this week.
You can read the full story here.
Global brand
Newcastle United are aiming to increase global appeal this week by promoting their brand in the Middle East.
The Magpies touched down in Riyadh with branded team buses awaiting to transfer them to their hotel as the likes of Miguel Almiron, Joelinton and Jamaal Lascelles saw their pictures emblazoned on the Saudia-sponsored vehicles. The players were presented with flowers and gift bags they then made their way to the Riyadh base for the week.
A midweek fan event at the Hyatt Regency was also announced last night with the week culminating with an exhibition match against Al-Hilal on Thursday evening. The United party included co-owner Amanda Staveley and loan manager and ambassador Shola Ameobi with the former striker expected to be part of the club's commercial drive in the Middle East.
You can read the full story here.
TV changes
Newcastle United have had all four of their February fixtures changed for live television broadcast in 2023. Three Magpies fixtures have been changed for Sky Sports, while BT Sport will also show one game.
The games against West Ham, Bournemouth, Liverpool and Brighton will all take place on the original dates but have had changes to their kick-off time. Newcastle will now face the Hammers on Saturday February 4 at 5.30pm and Bournemouth at 5.30pm on Saturday February 11 February.
The clash against Liverpool has been moved to 5.30pm on Saturday February 18. Brighton will now travel to Tyneside for a 12.30pm kick-off on Saturday February 25. The first three games mentioned will now be shown on Sky Sports, while the visit of the Seagulls will be live on BT Sport.
You can read the full story here.
Wilson misses training
Newcastle United forward Callum Wilson was forced to sit out of England training on Monday morning after picking up a minor knock in Qatar. The striker was absent as a select group of the Three Lions' squad took part in a short session following Sunday's 3-0 win over Senegal.
Players who featured in the last-16 win were given the morning off, while those not involved were put through their paces by England boss Gareth Southgate and his coaching staff. Wilson 's absence is said to be a precautionary measure.
The Magpies forward has only been used twice by Southgate during the tournament so far, coming off the bench in group games with Iran and Wales. Wilson helped himself to an assist in the first clash, with calls for him to start over Harry Kane earlier in the tournament.
You can read the full story here.
Shearer on England retirement
Newcastle United hero Alan Shearer has revealed the thinking behind his decision to take early retirement from international football in 2000 to put his full focus and effort into delivering for his boyhood club.
The decision came four years after returning to his hometown in 1996 following a successful four-year spell at Blackburn Rovers where he lifted the Premier League victory.
Now, with the 2022 Qatar World Cup in full swing, in which Shearer is a pundit, the discussion surrounding the Premier League record goal-scorer’s international career has resurfaced.
You can read the full story here.
Owen's sickening setback
There were just 51 seconds on the clock when Michael Owen felt his knee buckle. The Newcastle United star's World Cup was over before it had really started.
It was June 20, 2006 and England were facing Sweden in the Three Lions' final group game in Cologne when Owen went down. The striker had just had what proved to be one of his only touches of the night after cutting inside from the touchline and passing the ball to Ashley Cole without a second thought.
However, when Owen picked out his team-mate, for a split-second, it was as if there was no signal between his brain and his foot. As Owen's body went into one position, his leg was moving elsewhere and his right knee snapped.
Among the millions watching on from home that night was the late Freddy Shepherd, who said he 'nearly vomited' at the sight. As much as it was a sickening injury - Owen tore his cruciate - the Newcastle chairman was in shock and facing up to the prospect of one of the club's most important players being ruled out for the majority of the season before the fixtures for the new campaign had even been released.
Alarm bells were soon ringing. Adrian Bevington, the FA's director of communications at the time, had just taken his seat in the main stand alongside Sir Trevor Brooking when his phone started ringing.
You can read the full story here.
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