3 Newcastle players out of Liverpool clash as Howe hints at game plan & looks to the future

Eddie Howe has been speaking to the press this morning ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Liverpool at St James’ Park.

Sadly, the NUFC boss has confirmed that the game will come too soon Kieran Trippier, Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser.

The good news is that Trippier has trained with the team for the first time since breaking his foot in February, while Wilson is “getting closer.”

Howe hopes both can play again this season and “will use them” if they recover in time, however it looks like Fraser’s season may be over. His hamstring injury “isn’t serious”, but Howe’s latest comments suggest he may not be risked and instead allowed to recover fully ahead of pre-season.

As for the game itself, the boss hinted at an attacking game plan, believing we can approach Liverpool with “no fear” tomorrow and “impose” ourselves on a Reds side not only pushing for the Premier League title but in the midst of a Champions League semi-final against Villarreal after winning the first leg 2-0 just 48 hours ago.

Howe was also asked if this fixture could be our very own title decider in years to come. In response, he insisted that we have a long way to go to be in Liverpool’s position, vowing to “improve today” and be “better tomorrow” in a bid to take Newcastle to the top under ambitious new owners.

Here’s everything he had to say on all of the above during this morning’s press conference…

Howe on Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson:

“We have no fresh injuries. No fresh problems.

“Kieran (Trippier) and Callum (Wilson) getting closer but don’t think we’ll be ready for tomorrow.

“Kieran we’ve seen on the grass – he’s trained with us, one session.

“Callum’s not quite there yet but is edging closer.

“We definitely won’t rush them back. We won’t put them at risk but if they’re fit we’ll use them like any other player. I think that’s important.

They’ve had targets and goals to hit and when you’re injured it’s important you have those things.”

Howe on Ryan Fraser:

“Ryan has been on the grass but he’s not trained.

“We’re taking it careful with him. Hamstring injuries can be difficult.

“Will he play again this season? I’m not sure at this moment in time.”

Howe on his approach ahead of tomorrow’s clash with Liverpool:

“I think we can attack the game with no fear, play our game and try and impose that onto Liverpool.

“That’s what we will try to do to the best of our ability.

“We’re in a good frame of mind.”

“We know that nothing but our best tomorrow will be good enough.

We have to be perfect defensively but we still have to give them a threat the other way.

I think we have the players to do that but we need them at their very best levels.”

Howe on this fixture being a title decider of our own in years to come:

“Hopefully it (Newcastle v Liverpool) is (a title decider) in the future.

It’s where we aspire to be, but at the moment we are where we are.

You’re not going to get a time(frame) out of me, that’s impossible.

My aim is to improve today, to be better tomorrow.”

Howe on the final four games of the season:

“We had a good result last week and a good performance but we’ve trained well off the back of that.

We know that with the games we have coming up there can be no dropping of our standards because this league can be ruthless at times.”

About Olly Hawkins

As a Junior Magpie since birth and season ticket holder, I eat, sleep and breathe all things NUFC! Here at the blog, I aim to bring you news, views, match reports and transfer exclusives as and when I get them.

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