Here are the latest Newcastle United evening headlines on Friday, May 6.
Plans drawn up to improve training ground
The current training facilities at Newcastle are perhaps the greatest indication of the lack of investment at the club over the last 15 years. Compared to their Premier League rivals, United are preparing for games at a facility that would struggle to meet Championship standard.
One of the promises that was made after the takeover was completed was a vast improvement to the infrastructure at the club and it looks like this could be the first step. ChronicleLive understands the club have drawn up and submitted plans for an upgrade to the Darsley Park facilities in Benton.
The document submission states: "Modern professional football demands the provision of bespoke dedicated training facilities to enable teams to compete successfully at the highest levels nationally and internationally. The current training facilities available to NUFC fall significantly below the Premier League and perhaps even Championship standards.”
Read more on the potential upgrade here.
Howe addresses Saint-Maximin comments after clear-the-air talks
Allan Saint-Maximin caused a real stir amongst supporters when he said in an interview with French football magazine, SO FOOT, that he would have more assists if he had team mates capable of finishing chances. Although, Eddie Howe was quick to back up the wideman in his press conference ahead of the Manchester City clash.
"In no way did he mean to damage the team and the unity we’ve built - it wasn't in the context that he meant,” said the United boss. Ideally I would not want any of my players speaking about anything other than themselves and their own careers.
"I don’t think players need to talk about other players or players from other clubs. It is all about our club. It is about protecting the team and everything we do: giving off united and positive messages even in difficult moments, and that can be tough.
"But that is my ideal and what I want my team to do. I have no concerns over his mood. I don’t think I will be fining him about that situation, it is more a case of education and making sure players know what we expect of them."
Read more here.
Guardiola wants his players to use Champions League heartbreak as motivation
Many people are wondering whether Man City will be able to regroup in time for Sunday’s Newcastle clash after they were dumped out of the Champions League by Real Madrid on Wednesday. They could not have lost in much worse fashion as they were two goals in front, on aggregate, going into the 89th minute at the Bernabeu.
Their focus has had to quickly turn to their relentless title battle as they host the Magpies on Sunday. Guardiola was asked in his press conference if he will tell his players to forget the defeat in Madrid, to which he replied: "Why forget it? We are going to go into the game against Newcastle thinking about that.
"For sure, I know what the players are like in training and the meeting rooms. They are committed, they want to do it and I don't have any doubt about that.
"For 90 minutes they were at 0-1 and through. Real Madrid, for many years, just have this belief from the past and the incredible players who were there, Puskas, Raul, Cristiano Ronaldo...”
Read more of what the Spaniard had to say here.
