Newcastle United can take a big step closer to their Champions League dream in the coming week with two important games at St James' Park. Crystal Palace are in town next Wednesday when the Magpies play their game in hand, but first it's all about Manchester United's visit on Sunday.
Premier League clashes between the two sides are always memorable affairs, but Newcastle have the chance to complete a rare double over the Red Devils after their 2-0 win at Old Trafford earlier in the season. Eddie Howe is unwell today, so Jason Tindall will speak to the media this morning, with plenty focus on the injury situation.
Alexander Isak came through the 3-0 win at Leicester as United continue to monitor his fitness, while Anthony Gordon missed the game after picking up an injury with England. Joe Willock was ruled out with concussion while United also have a potential concern over Tino Livramento.
We've got the thoughts of the Newcastle assistant head coach coming up, with all the key points ahead of Sunday's game.
Key Events
The latest on Alexander Isak's fitness
Alexander Isak has trained in the last couple of days and feels 'fine' ahead of the visit of Manchester United. Will be assessed day-to-day but Jason Tindall expects him to be involved.
Jason Tindall expecting a big atmosphere on Sunday
There's always been that rivalry there between Newcastle and Man United. They're the type of games as a player, coach and manager that you want to be involved in. We know it's going to be a fantastic atmosphere. It always is when you play Man United - and it's down to us to go and deliver a performance that wins us the game. They're a good side. They have only lost one of their last six so they're certainly a different side to the one we faced at Old Trafford. We know we need to be at our best.
Jason Tindall reflects on Newcastle United journey - and wanting more
It's certainly been a great journey for us and one that we wouldn't have expected certainly so soon. There have been some incredible moments and achievements along the journey and I've been absolutely delighted. We knew what the football club meant to the city arriving here. We knew the football club hadn't won a trophy for so long and the importance of trying to achieve that. We spoke when we arrived about how we wanted to achieve that and deliver that, and we wanted to be able to help the football club win their first trophy in such a long time. For us, it doesn't stop there. The most important thing for us is now is Manchester United and focusing on that, and making sure we deliver the performances week in, week out and get that consistency that will hopefully lead to more success.
Jason Tindall 'really pleased' with players' response since cup win
We have been really pleased. After such a big high, it's almost easy to lose your focus a little bit and get a bit distracted with everything that's gone on and all the talk around the city but we have got a fantastic group of players. They know the expectation, the demands, put on them. The manager drives that every single day and the one thing about Eddie is he won't let anyone almost take themselves to a place other than where they need to be and that's the daily work and delivering the performance. Psychologically they need to know where they need to be in their heads to be able to deliver those types of performances. Two tough games - Brentford at home and Leicester away - where we're probably expected to win but everybody was looking at us to see how we would perform after the cup final and it was important that we delivered the results that we did. It sets up nicely now for the Man United game
Jason Tindall 'sure' Eddie Howe will be back for Sunday
I'm not expecting him not to be available for Sunday, he said. If it was a game that was tomorrow, potentially, that might be different but obviously we have got the game on Sunday and the extra day will help him and I'm sure he will be there to lead the team.
Jason Tindall: 'We're in the position we wanted to be in'
We're in a position that we would have wanted to be in with eight games remaining., assistant Jason Tindall said. There are a lot of teams fighting for those positions. We've got a busy week coming up but the most important thing is the Man Utd game and making sure we prepare right for that. If we can deliver a performance and get the result we want it takes us one step closer to where we want to get to.
Jason Tindall on Manchester United
It's another important game for us. No matter who Man United come up against, it's a big game. A huge football club with big expectations. We will prepare the same for Man United as how we did against Leicester. The lads know how important the game is with only eight games remaining. We know the importance of every result. Hopefully it's going to be a good game at St James' Park and we deliver the performance we know we can to win the game.
Jason Tindall on the run-in
"With eight games to go, there are a lot of teams fighting for the same as what we are. All we can control is our own performances and what we do, the most important thing is that we approach every game as we have done all season and give the best account of ourselves. Hopefully that will be enough to achieve our end goal."
Newcastle United give Anthony Gordon injury update
Jason Tindall has said:
He's had a decent week with the physios. He was back out on grass for a pitch session yesterday so we'll assess him again today to see how he's responded to that session then we'll have to make a late call on whether he's available for the bench on Sunday.
Jason Tindall explains Eddie Howe's absence
He's been really poorly the last couple of days in bed. We've been in daily contact. We've been speaking three or four times a day so it's not affected any of the preparations. We've still got a couple of days and I'm sure he'll be fine for the weekend.
On the agenda
Plenty to talk about this morning, but some key topics will be . . .
- Alexander Isak - is he OK to face Man United?
- How is Anthony Gordon progressing, any chance to Sunday?
- Will Eddie Howe be on the touchline?
- Man United verdict - still dangerous?
- Huge week ahead with Palace and Villa next up
Salah contract
Bit of breaking news from elsewhere this morning . . Mo Salah has confirmed he has signed a new contract at Liverpool.
"Of course I’m very excited," Salah said. "We have a great team now. Before also we had a great team. But I signed because I think we have a chance to win other trophies and enjoy my football.
"It’s great, I had my best years here. I played eight years, hopefully it’s going to be 10. Enjoying my life here, enjoying my football. I had the best years in my career.
"I would like to say to [the fans], I am very, very happy to be here. I signed here because I believe we can win a lot of big trophies together. Keep supporting us and we’ll give it our best, and hopefully in the future we’re going to win more trophies."
Pre-season plans
Newcastle have confirmed their first pre-season fixture of the summer, and it's a big one. United will face Premier League rivals Arsenal in Singapore as part of the Festival of Football tournament.
The two Premier League rivals will go head-to-head in the Far East on Sunday, July 27. Read more here.
"Pre-season is all about setting the right challenges to ensure we are ready for the new season. So we’re pleased to be playing against high-calibre opposition in an iconic stadium. Having Singapore as part of our pre-season will provide a special experience for supporters in Asia, and we’re looking forward to seeing them and playing in front of them in July."
EDDIE HOWE
Why Eddie Howe is missing today
Newcastle United have confirmed Eddie Howe is unwell this morning, meaning his assistant Jason Tindall will be answering questions.
A short statement read: "Due to illness, please note that Jason Tindall will take this morning's pre-match press conference as a replacement for Eddie Howe."
Welcome
Morning everyone and welcome to today's live coverage of Newcastle United's pre-match media briefing. It's Jason Tindall in the hotseat today as Eddie Howe is unwell. Live updates on the way.
