Newcastle note book: Howe in job 'into his 50s', United's royal treatment for Rovers and U21 loan target
The Newcastle United notebook for the weekend has landed
Eddie Howe will work closely with both Amanda Staveley and new CEO Darren Eales when the former Atlanta United supremo starts his new role next week.
Eales has been in the stands in recent friendly games at St James' Park but said farewell to the MLS club earlier this month as Newcastle finally replace Lee Charnley, almost a year after he left the club. Eales is a fan friendly CEO and has a host of fresh and vibrant ideas that will capture the imagination of Newcastle fans.
But Staveley, who steered the club through both the January and summer window, will still be a huge part of things behind the scenes. The Ripon financier has been in place since October and still holds a 10% stake in the club as co-owner.
READ NEXT: Pep Guardiola's message to Newcastle as he pinpoints five dangerous players
With sporting director Dan Ashworth also on board, Newcastle feel they have an off-field operations team that can match anybody in the Premier League these days. Howe did not hesitate to sign a new contract two weeks ago after being impressed with the plans that lie ahead.
Newcastle did not announce the length of the deal only stating it was "long-term" but Chronicle Live understands the arrangement could well take the former AFC Bournemouth man "into his fifties" in the dugout at St James' Park if the club continue on the upward trajectory.
When asked about working with incoming Eales, Howe said this week: "I'm very much looking forward to building a relationship with him. "Someone of his experience and knowledge will only help us become more efficient in every way of working so I'd like to welcome him to the football club."
Meticulous planning ahead of Tranmere tie
Newcastle will travel to the Wirral on Wednesday night for the second round of the League Cup with Eddie Howe already making it clear in pre-season he will be taking the two domestic cups very seriously this season. Understandably, there may be one or two tweaks from this weekend's Premier League clash with Manchester City including the goalkeeping department with Martin Dubravka and Karl Darlow due a game.
But in terms of planning Newcastle have gone into serious detail watching their opponents from League Two. Indeed, United's scouts were in the stands at Hartlepool for Rovers' 0-0 draw at Victoria Park and a detailed dossier of information is in place to feed into the players in after City's visit.
Chronicle Live has learned that Tranmere have had the same "meticulous" attention to detail as Man City and that Howe, who knows the lower leagues after guiding Bournemouth up, has the same respect for Micky Mellon as he does for the mighty Guardiola.
Matty Bondswell attracting big interest from EFL clubs on loan
The left-sided player was red carded in the week during the loss to Stoke City. But Bondswell is wanted by a few clubs in League One and League Two who have been watching him in action for the Under-21s.
Bondswell had a good pre-season with the seniors but with Matt Targett, Matt Ritchie, Paul Dummett and Javier Manquillo ahead of him in the queue, he will need game time this term. He was sent to Shrewsbury last season but didn't get used - much to the frustration of the player and the Magpies.
Bondswell and United will be hoping for better luck in this window. And Bondswell is keen to show what he can do on the first-team stage - not the second string.
READ NEXT
- Newcastle's Joao Pedro negotiations continue with Watford with no fee agreed
- Newcastle United vs Manchester City: Premier League preview
- Newcastle United duo could have key role vs City
- Pope reflects on dream start at Newcastle and underlines importance of momentum
- Where things stand on six Newcastle transfer targets