Your Newcastle United evening headlines for Friday, April 8.
Selection headache
Eddie Howe has several selection headaches ahead of tonight’s game against Wolves. A heavy defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday means he may be tempted to change the backline, with Dan Burn and Fabian Schar two mainstays in recent months.
In midfield, Joe Willock’s knee struggle makes him a doubt, meaning Bruno Guimaraes could feature after starting on the bench against Spurs. The Toon’s toothless attack - which has not scored from open play in over five hours - is also in the firing line. Chris Wood has struggled for form and Allan Saint-Maximin returned last weekend but Miguel Almiron, Jacob Murphy and Dwight Gayle are all chomping at the bit for game time.
Fresh Ashworth attempts
Brighton are refusing to budge on their demands to allow Dan Ashworth to join Newcastle early, ChronicleLive understands. The former Seagulls sporting director resigned in February amid speculation he will take up a similar role on Tyneside.
However, recent reports revealed that Ashworth - who was director of elite development at the FAfor six years - must serve a ninth-month notice and may not be eligible to join Newcastle until November. The move serves as a blow to the Magpies’ transfer strategy but a contingency plan is in place, with Steve Nickson given a prominent role like he was in January.
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Howe on ownership
Howe has claimed he would have taken the Newcastle job during the Mike Ashley era. National journalists have grilled the Toon boss on the Magpies’ controversial Saudi-backed owners on several occasions since the October takeover.
Howe’s preference to deflect questions and focus on football matters saw him criticised following last month’s 1-0 defeat to Chelsea. Now, ahead of tonight’s clash against Wolves, the 44-year-old gave a candid response when asked whether he would have accepted the job pre-takeover.
"Yeah absolutely I would have been because of the size of the club,” Howe said. “Its history, the support base - everything connected with Newcastle, they are the reasons I’d be interested in the job. "I’m absolutely loving the responsibility and the challenge. The day-to-day job is one that I’m really embracing."
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