Eddie Howe has been speaking to the press from Newcastle’s media centre this morning, offering an update on injuries and availability ahead of tomorrow’s trip to Anfield.

Sandro Tonali was on the bench on Sunday after a slight hamstring concern, while Sven Botman and Joelinton have both missed our last few games due to knee issues.

Tonali and Joelinton’s absence saw Lewis Miley and Joe Willock start in our 4-3 win over Nottingham Forest, while Dan Burn and Fabian Schar have featured at centre-back without Botman.

Triple boost for Toon ahead of Liverpool trip?

Eddie Howe has confirmed that Sandro Tonali is “fine” and “fully fit” after coming through his substitute appearance on Sunday with no issues.

Sven Botman is “improving quickly” and will be “very close” to returning at Liverpool, while Joelinton is “pushing” and “close” to being back in the squad, offering a potential pre-match boost ahead of a tough game on Merseyside.

Howe on Tonali – “He came through the game (on Sunday) fine. I anticipate now he’ll be fully fit.”

Howe on Botman – “Sven’s improving and he’s improving quickly, so we’ll see whether he makes it. It’ll be close.

Howe on Joelinton – “Again with Joe, it is similar to Sven he is really improving and doing really well and pushing. He is another player who could be quite close. Joe is always important from a number of perspectives especially in defending set-pieces.

“He has those key aspects that we have missed when he’s not there, his physicality and strength there is an obvious presence missing in our midfield, Joey is a massive player for us.”

Midfield dilemma for Howe?

If Sandro Tonali is fit, he starts. It’s as simple as that. But if he’s back and Joelinton isn’t quite ready to start, Howe must drop one of Lewis Miley or Joe Willock.

Both impressed on Sunday, especially Miley, although the 18-year-old doesn’t tend to start in that left-sided role and it would mean two starts in four days for a teenager who has only started one league game all season.

Willock often operates in that left-sided No.8 role and impressed in a blistering first half against Nottingham Forest, so it’ll be tricky to decide who starts alongside Bruno and Tonali.