NEWCASTLE United boss Eddie Howe is set to make late calls on a number of players ahead of tomorrow’s Carabao Cup clash with Cherries (7.45pm). Howe is set to make late calls on the fitness of Dan Burn, Joelinton and Miguel Almiron, while Allan Saint-Maximin picked up a knock during Saturday’s friendly against Rayo Vallecano. Discussing Saint-Maximin,
Eddie Howe said: “I think there’s a slight injury – we’ll see today how he comes in. Obviously after a game things can be sore, but they can settle quickly, so hopefully that’s the case.”
Newcastle also had five players away at the World Cup. Two of them – England duo Nick Pope and Kieran Trippier – played against Rayo Vallecano, while compatriot Callum Wilson, Switzerland defender Fabian Schar and Bruno Guimaraes of Brazil were not involved. Howe did however describe former Cherries striker Wilson’s physical condition as “fine” but would not confirm if he would be involved tomorrow.
Eddie Howe said: “I spoke with all the international lads when they came back, obviously. Kieran and Nick were very keen to play in the game (against Vallecano). Those conversations are important because those boys have had not just the physical load from being at the World Cup, but the mental side of it can’t be underestimated, so I’ll continue those conversations with the other lads and we’ll see where we are.”
Discussing the importance of this fixture, ahead of the Premier League returning next week,
Eddie Howe added: “We’ve tried to give this game the same importance as a Premier League game, and for us it is, because it’s a chance to progress in a very important competition for us. That’s how we’ve approached the game.”
