Howe asked if new signing is 'close', reacts to 4-1 win and hails "electric" Mag

Eddie Howe is hoping Newcastle United are close to a breakthrough on the transfer front and has hailed our performance in tough conditions as we beat Urawa Reds 4-1 on Wednesday.

The boss said "I hope so" when asked about reports suggesting a much-needed signing is edging closer, but gave little away and refused to name the specific positions we plan to strengthen out of respect to his players.

Howe believes the humidity in Japan will have helped our fitness levels as Alexander Isak, Jacob Murphy (x2) and Lewis Hall all got on the scoresheet. The 46-year-old was full of praise for the "electric" Isak and also issued positive updates on Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles, Lewis Miley and Matt Targett as all four recover from injuries. See his quotes in full below:

Howe when asked if a new signing is close - “I hope so. But I’ve got no idea how close things are. We’re working hard to try and make that happen.”

“I never like to discuss positions (we plan to sign players in) because I don’t think it’s right for the players that you have that are fighting for those positions, but of course we’re taking a look at the squad, we’re analysing every player and every position and we’ll try and strengthen the squad by the time the window shuts.”

 Howe on 4-1 win over Urawa Reds - “It was a good game, really good conditions for us to improve our fitness levels. A very hot and humid day. By kick off, it was a little bit cooler for the players which certainly helped us. Lots to improve on but fundamentally a really good attitude kind of display by the players.”

Howe on Alexander Isak - “I thought he was very good tonight. He is electric, he looks like he’s hungry for goals and of course I think his game can go up and I think there are areas for him to improve. We’ll always find those percentages to try and add to his game. We work continuously with him, in partnership with him really.

“We’ve got a really good relationship with him and we’re trying to find new ways to score more goals or help the team in different ways. So really pleased with his application today.”

Howe on Botman, Lascelles, L. Miley and Targett - "Sven and Jamaal are longer-term with knee injuries, but we hope maybe towards the end of the year that they’ll be closer. Lewy (Miley), it was a big blow losing him, but he’s making good progress. Matt (Targett) is close. We anticipate he’ll hopefully return to training probably in the build-up to Southampton, that was the plan."

Howe on Bruno Guimaraes - "We saw the boost he gave the group to have him back (yesterday) with us for the first time on the training pitch. He’s been a galvanising player for us in the last two years. I speak on behalf of everybody when I say I want to see Bruno on the pitch wearing a black and white shirt, happy, content and absolutely ready to drive the team forward again."