Callum Wilson is set to return to Newcastle United’s squad for the last day shoot out against Brentford on Sunday – but Anthony Gordon could be tough and go.
Newcastle will go into the game in the capital knowing they must better Manchester United’s points tally if they are to keep hopes of European qualification in good health. But the availability to get to Europe could be vital against Thomas Frank’s Bees.
Howe, speaking at his pre-match press conference ahead of the final day clash at Brentford, said: of Wilson: “We anticipate he will be fit. Whenever he is not available you sense a gap. It is a gap in the sense of his personality and experience. But also for us to play with two strikers or to rotate. When you only have one striker it puts a bigger burden on other strikers.”
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Gordon was left with a major impact on his ankle and even a hole in his sock after Sofyan Amrabat’s challenge on the England international which should have resulted in a penalty award. Howe will assess the ex-Everton man going into the weekend encounter.
Howe said: “We will wait and see, we are not 100%. We will see how he is today. Certainly that tackle left a mark on him.”
Howe will have Fabian Schar back after getting minutes under his belt at Man United while Howe has a major call to make on his goalkeepers. Nick Pope is back and Martin Dubravka struggled at Old Trafford, particularly in the second half.
But he warned that his players must focus on the task in hand. Howe said: “We have to do everything we can to do our part. What we don’t want to do is for the other teams to make a mistake and we’re not there to capitalise on it.”
Regardless of the outcome at Brentford, Newcastle will jet off to Australia for two more matches Down Under. The Magpies face Tottenham Hotspur in Melbourne and then a clash against the A-League All Stars at the Marvel Stadium.
Howe said: “We will finish the game and straight on the plane. It’s a very quick turnaround. We’re focusing on this game and that has to take priority. Our pre-season training will start early July. We’re finalising our last few pre-season games. Energy is going into that behind the scenes.”
Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk are set to lock horns in a huge clash this month with each fighter attempting to etch their names in boxing history as the first undisputed heavyweight champion since 1999. The stakes couldn’t be higher as the pair will go head to head for the prestigious WBC, WBA, WBO, and IBF titles.