Newcastle United

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Saturday's FA Cup game against Bournemouth at St James' Park (kick-off 15:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Fabian Schar has ankle ligament damage but the injury it is "not as bad as it looked initially" when he was stretchered off against Crystal Palace. The defender "is seeing a specialist in the next few days to get answers."

• Howe said "it is a huge blow" because they "have been stretched" all season in defence with Sven Botman and Dan Burn also suffering injuries.

• The latter is "making good progress" and "will be very keen to push himself back" but Howe said Newcastle "have to be careful" that they don't rush him.

• He said the FA Cup is "a magical competition" so they will "try and pick a strong team, while trusting the squad" to get through to the fourth round.

• More on the timing of this FA Cup match: "Early rounds are the most difficult because they're surrounded by loads of other games. We want to progress and do well in every competition we are in, but it will be a tough game."

• Howe said their current approach to this transfer window is "watch and breathe," but their upcoming fixtures "will have a bearing" on any business they decide to do.

• On Lewis Miley, who has played in a variety of positions for Newcastle: "I see his long-term position in midfield, but we will use him wherever the team needs. He's happy to play wherever. He was outstanding [against Palace]. I was very impressed with him."

• Defender Jamaal Lascelles is not currently training because "his body is not feeling great": "We hope that will change in the next few months. It is a possibility he could leave as well. Let's wait and see what will happen on his future."

Follow all of Friday's FA Cup news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Listen to live commentary of Newcastle vs Bournemouth on BBC Radio Newcastle and BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra 2 from 15:00 GMT on Saturday

See here for how to follow the FA Cup on the BBC

Listen to Howe on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you where you think Newcastle will finish in the table this season.

Here are some of your comments:

Geoff: If we make a couple of signings in January, along with the players we have, then there's no reason why we can't end up in the top three of the Premier League.

John: Finishing fourth.

Peter: I think these past three results have been hard-fought and will prove to be vital in creating momentum and a platform to secure Champions League qualification again.

Andrew: We will definitely qualify for Europe, but which competition? Arsenal and Man City are guaranteed Champions League. Liverpool are doing better with Alexander Isak, so does that leave one Champions League spot? I think it will be ours!

Alex: If Newcastle could squeeze into fifth that would be massive given the points we have dropped against Chelsea, Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal, and losing to United despite dominating. It'll be tough to beat City over two legs (or win the Champions League obviously!) so qualification has to be a key goal.

Tom: I see the top four staying the same, but with uncertainty at Chelsea and Man United, I think Newcastle are best placed to finish fifth.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Newcastle defender John Anderson spoke to BBC Radio Newcastle after Wednesday's victory against Leeds United.

"We conceded three goals and that has to be a concern - but the one thing this side has is togetherness when things aren't going well. They keep digging in and battling away and they got their rewards in the end.

"When you look at how other results went [on Wednesday], this result is so big. Two weeks ago, people were complaining that we were in the bottom half of the table and we weren't going anywhere and all of a sudden we're up to sixth.

"This league is so up and down and everybody is capable of beating everybody else. It's so stretched in that middle section and that is why this result is absolutely massive."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

Just how important is this victory for your season?

Where do you think the Magpies will finish?

Tell us here

We asked for your thoughts after Wednesday's Premier League game between Newcastle and Leeds.

Here are some of your comments:

Newcastle fans

Paul: Superb - game of the season. Well done Newcastle. That win was for Kevin Keegan.

Colin: Eddie said it would be a "season-defining month". I think we just saw a season-defining match. Behind three times and came back three times with a little extra oomph at the end to win the game.

John: Quite a frustrating watch for Newcastle fans. Leaky defence, individual errors and a slow/predictable build up to attacks. We have much to improve, but 100% for our never-say-die mentality. Keegan will be proud of his former club.

Lee: What a game to win. Leeds more than played their part and were unlucky not to at least get a point but we will take that as we've been on the other end a few times ourselves!

Leeds fans

Crhis: Probably one of the most exciting/stressful games I've watched in a long time. Personally I think Daniel Farke bringing subs on so late in the game lost us the three points while Lucas Perri having another couple of shockers didn't help.

Andy: Great effort from Leeds in a cauldron, but sat far too deep in the second half and not as disciplined as of late. Perri never looked commanding or a safe bet with with anything coming across into the box and it all felt desperate for the last 20 minutes. Hats off to Brenden Aaronson, but he looked tired a long time before he was replaced - as did some others.

Peter: I watched with dismay. We just cannot keep defending for a full 90 (plus) minutes after a tremendous opening. We relaxed after scoring again, then could not defend the corners...again! What a waste, we could be mid-table by now. Can we buy a defender or two?

Richard: I sent a text to my brother after we went 3-2 up saying we would lose 4-3. I knew we would try to defend it too deep. Should have put a few quid on it.

Pundits Danny Murphy and Stephen Warnock are on hand to bring you the action and talking points from the nine Premier League fixtures so far this week.

Watch on BBC iPlayer here

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter at St James' Park

Image source, Getty Images

4-3? It is a scoreline so often associated with Kevin Keegan.

Who could forget that chaotic game at Anfield in 1996 when Stan Collymore struck late for Liverpool to break Newcastle hearts?

This time, however, Newcastle were toasting a quite remarkable victory following a late turnaround of their own. Although late might be an understatement.

Barnes' dramatic strike was the latest winner on record scored in a Premier League match.

Cue bedlam on and off the pitch.

Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe is a measured figure - but even he was sent darting down the touchline in delight after the ball hit the back of the net.

This side kept going after falling behind for a third time and losing defender Fabian Schar, who was taken off on a stretcher with an injury.

Not only to draw level - but to finally find a way to take the lead once and for all.

It was a precious victory.

Newcastle have now won three Premier League games in a row for the first time this season.

And the manner of this win was a fitting tribute to Keegan.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe spoke to BBC Match of the Day after his side's victory over Leeds United: "I'm going to struggle to do it [to make sense of the game] because it was a crazy game. We weren't at our best today, I thought Leeds played very well but we had a spirit and a togetherness and a fight that we were never out of the game. We kept going until the end and it's a great win.

"No Premier League game, as the table would show you, is easy this year and the win is a valuable result.

"Coming from behind, we haven't done that this season yet so that's a great thing to do. We have been on the rec end a couple of times this season and it really hurt so this is the better way to script it."

On Fabian Schar's injury: "Huge concern, I think it's quite a serious one, it's an ankle one. He's gone to hospital. He has been such a brilliant player for us."

Hear more from Howe on BBC Sounds

Newcastle matchwinner Harvey Barnes also spoke to BBC MOTD: "I've always had a great record against them [Leeds] and I don't know what it is, always seem to score and hopefully it doesn't stop.

"It was mad. It was weird, some good moments and then others when they were on top. Not performance-wise where we want it to be but we got back in the game and the finish to the game is incredible. We are a team full of character and you could see that towards the end."

On his goal: "It's a little bit of instinct, there's that much chaos in the box, it's just about finding that bit of composure and getting it towards goal. It's an important one. I'm delighted with that tonight."

Listen to more from Barnes on BBC Sounds

Did you know?

• Timed at 101 minutes and 48 seconds, Harvey Barnes' winning goal for Newcastle is the latest ever winning goal in a Premier League match Opta has on record since 2006-07.

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Have your say on Newcastle's performance

What did you make of Leeds' display?

Come back on Thursday for a selection of your replies

Record signing Nick Woltemade starts as Newcastle United make two changes for the visit of Leeds United to St James' Park.

The German forward lines up from the off in place of Yoane Wissa for the first time since 26 December.

Harvey Barnes has also been recalled after Jacob Murphy suffered a slight hamstring issue in the win against Crystal Palace at the weekend.

Newcastle XI: Pope, Miley, Schar, Thiaw, Hall, Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton, Barnes, Woltemade, Gordon

Subs: Ramsdale, Trippier, Botman, J.Murphy, Livramento, Wissa, Willock, A.Murphy, Ramsey

Leeds United captain Ethan Ampadu returns from suspension as the visitors also make a couple of changes.

Ampadu replaces Noah Okafor in the side while defender Joe Rodon also comes into the starting line-up.

Leeds are bidding to extend their unbeaten run to eight games.

Leeds XI: Perri, Justin, Rodon, Bijol, Struijk, Gudmundsson, Ampadu, Gruev, Stach, Aaronson, Calvert-Lewin

Subs: Darlow, Byram, Bornauw, Tanaka, Harrison, Gnonto, Okafor, Piroe, Nmecha

There are eight games in the Premier League on Wednesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Bournemouth v Tottenham

• Brentford v Sunderland

• Crystal Palace v Aston Villa

• Everton v Wolves

• Fulham v Chelsea

• Manchester City v Brighton

• Burnley v Manchester United (20:15)

• Newcastle v Leeds (20:15)

Kick-off times 19:30 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

Leeds take their unbeaten seven-match run to St James' Park to take on a Newcastle side that has won back-to-back league games for only the second time this season.

Leeds' stunning upturn in form since early December has helped them rise from 18th to a full eight points clear of the bottom three. They are also now only nine points off fifth-placed Chelsea, such has been the unpredictable nature of the top flight this season.

The 11 points they have picked up since losing 3-2 to Manchester City on 29 November is as many as they managed across their opening 13 league fixtures of the campaign.

Only two of those seven games have ended in a win, but given how tough their fixtures were with Liverpool twice, Chelsea and Manchester United all in the mix, it makes the achievement of Daniel Farke's side even more impressive.

In further news to boost a buoyant Leeds fanbase, only five Premier League teams that had an eight-point buffer above the bottom three after 20 or more matches went on to be relegated.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin may have drawn a blank in his past two games, but the in-form forward has scored six Premier League goals against Newcastle, only scoring more in his top-flight career against Crystal Palace (seven).

Newcastle enjoy a mini resurgence

After three frustrating matches without a win, Newcastle made it back-to-back league victories for only the second time this season against out-of-form Crystal Palace.

It stretched their unbeaten run at home to seven league games and they have scored exactly two goals in each of those matches at St James' Park.

Maybe more pleasing to head coach Eddie Howe will have been at the other end of the pitch, as his side finally ended their 12-match league run without a clean sheet dating back to early October.

Central to their performance against Palace was 19-year-old Lewis Miley. He once again excelled in the unfamiliar right-back role he has been parachuted into for the first time in his career over their past five matches. Defensively sound, he was also an attacking threat with an assist in an all-action performance.

He completed all 59 of his passes, which was the best 100% rate of any player in a top-flight game this season and the second highest by a Newcastle player on record since 2003-04.

Another player to receive praise was Yoane Wissa. The big-money signing from Brentford endured a frustrating start to his Newcastle career because of the injury he suffered on international duty that delayed his debut until December. His introduction to the starting XI has coincided with their two wins from two.

Newcastle not only got three points against Crystal Palace at the weekend, they kept their first clean sheet in the league since the start of October.

Leeds have gone seven games unbeaten, including a deserved draw against Sunderland, and they will be full of confidence.

These two sides drew 0-0 at Elland Road in August but there will definitely be goals this time.

I always back Newcastle at home, so why should I change now? The only thing I'm unsure about here is whether Leeds will score.

I'm going to say they won't, so stand by for Dominic Calvert-Lewin to find the net again, probably in stoppage time.

Sutton's prediction: 2-0

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Newcastle United will have Tottenham for competition if they go back to Wolves in an effort to sign 25-year-old Norway striker Jorgen Strand Larsen. (ChronicleLive), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Eddie Howe is typically measured, so it is hard to imagine the Newcastle United head coach ever having a more explosive news conference than the one he conducted during a pre-season training camp in Germany in 2024.

Howe spoke about the need to "feel supported and free to work in the way I want to work", before he went on to admit there was "no point in me saying I'm happy staying if the dynamic isn't right".

There was a momentary echo of that afternoon as Howe used some familiar words while discussing his position on Tuesday.

"As long as I can express myself in the best way possible and be the best version of myself, nothing will change," he said.

Yet there was a radically different tone this time as Howe declared he was "very happy" and dismissed speculation linking with him the Manchester United job.

Whereas there were previous tensions between Howe and former sporting director Paul Mitchell, the head coach has quickly struck up an understanding with successor Ross Wilson.

Howe has also developed a bond with David Hopkinson, the club's chief executive, who arrived earlier this season following a period of huge upheaval at boardroom level.

Former owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi left the club in 2024, while Howe has worked with three sporting directors and two chief executives since taking charge.

But Howe has been a constant throughout - the fourth-longest serving manager in the Premier League - at a time when Manchester United and Chelsea have both made yet another change in the dugout.

"You have got to keep hitting your targets stage by stage," he added. "If you are able to and you're enjoying it and people want you to stay, you stay and enjoy what's to come."

Katie Stafford
BBC Sport journalist

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Premier League game against Leeds United at St James' Park (kick-off 20:15 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Jacob Murphy has had a scan on his hamstring and "it's good news" as there is "no major injury". Howe expects him to be available for Wednesday's game but "it will be a late decision".

• Howe said he is "absolutely" still committed to the job despite being linked to other jobs. He added: "I'm 100% here, working as hard as I can, head down, ignoring all the stuff that you guys write, whether it's good or bad because it's irrelevant."

• On Joe Willock receiving racist abuse on social media: "It's absolutely horrible and I really felt for Joe to have to read that and absorb the words that were sent to him. His reaction was first class. I can't support him enough and give him [enough] love at this moment."

• He said "it's a slightly strange and different season" because "the strength through the league has got stronger" and that means the table is tighter. Howe went on to say Newcastle "can elevate" their position by putting "a good run together" in January.

• On opponents Leeds: "In the first game against them, they were really good and it was a tough game for us. They have looked really solid, which is a huge compliment for any team coming up because it's so difficult to defend and keep clean sheets."

• Howe said Fabian Schar "continues to impress" even after making his 250th Newcastle appearance on Sunday against Crystal Palace and has been "outstanding" in defence over the years.

• More from Howe on Schar: "His technical skills are quite obvious when you watch him play, but he's also got that big heart that every defender needs. He puts his body on the line continually for us, he's brave."

Listen to Howe on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

Former Newcastle defender John Anderson says January will be "a juggling match" for Eddie Howe because of the relentless fixture schedule.

The Magpies face nine games across four competitions this month, so what games will manager Howe prioritise?

"He sees the Premier League as the main priority because of wanting to be in the Champions League again next season," Anderson told BBC Radio Newcastle. "The League Cup comes next because it is a semi-final, and then it is the FA Cup and Champions League.

"Realistically, it is just about qualifying for the next round or stage [for the latter two].

"Somewhere along the line, the amount of games they are playing will take its toll so Howe is going to have to make changes. He has to rotate and give players game time.

"It will be a juggling match and it is easier for other teams that have more squad depth."

Newcastle host Leeds on Wednesday in the Premier League before welcoming Howe's former club Bournemouth in the FA Cup third round on Saturday.

They then face Manchester City in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final, before a trip to Wolves in the league and a home tie against PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.

Howe's side will also travel to Paris Saint-Germain at the end of the month in between league games against Aston Villa and Liverpool.

Listen to Ando on BBC Sounds

Newcastle United are keen on Brazilian left-back Souza, but Tottenham have held talks with Santos over a deal for the 19-year-old. (Teamtalk), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Charlotte Robson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

What a weird season this is shaping up to be! I mean that across the board, not just for Newcastle United.

At the time of writing, two Premier League managers have just been sacked - both teams in the top six, by the way - and the gap between fifth and 15th place is only eight points.

What felt like despair in mid-December as a Newcastle fan is giving way to, dare I say it, hope that we can make something of our season yet.

I can't sit and write about Bruno Guimaraes again, can I? I'll focus on what he's bringing to the rest of the squad. You see him, week in and week out, bringing the mood of other players up.

Take, for example, Yoane Wissa, still new to playing with us, who seems to have taken a leaf out of Bruno's book and tries to rev up the crowd at every opportunity.

Players who understand our fans immediately embed themselves in our hearts. It's what one of our departed strikers resolutely failed to do.

Another example is Fabian Schar, who at the weekend played in his 250th game for Newcastle United. That's 250 games! What is also amazing is that if he plays in every game until the end of January, he'll be celebrating playing his 350th...

And January is going to be tough. Happily, though, we have players coming back from injury and a bench that looks stronger than it has in a while. Happily, we remain in both domestic cup competitions, with six points from the past six available in the league tucked under our belts.

Happily, we have players for whom this seems to mean something, who kiss the badge and kiss the camera when they score. It's up to us now to beat Leeds, but I believe we have enough to go into the second half of this season strong.

Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external