Alan Shearer sensationally calls out Eddie Howe for treatment of Newcastle ace – He’s had enough

Eddie Howe hopes for continued consistency against an ‘outstanding team’

Newcastle can affirm their top eight hopes with a win in Germany.

Eddie Howe hopes for continued consistency against an ‘outstanding team’Eddie Howe in the pre-match presser.

Eddie Howe has spoken about the ambitions of Newcastle United in Europe.

The Toon are looking forward to the first edition of the Tyne-Wear derby with Sunderland in the top flight since 2017, when the two teams meet at the Stadium of Light on Sunday afternoon. But Newcastle are also fighting for one of the positions in the top eight of the Champions League.

Howe’s men have lost to Marseille and Barcelona, bagging wins against Athletic Club, Benfica, and Union Saint-Gilloise. Now, they have a trip to Germany to go against Bayer Leverkusen, who beat Man City 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium two weeks ago. The squad is stretched, but the manager is keen to be competitive on several fronts— and he has the benefit of a summer signing being back in action.”

However we get through, the knock-out phase is the target. It would be preferable to go through without a play-off, but the teams we have to face are in good form.

“I am relatively pleased with our Champions League performance. In the two defeats we have not come away with what we deserved.”

Bayer Leverkusen are an outstanding team, true to their identity, so this will be a tough game.

“Our main issue in recent weeks has been defending set plays, but that’s nothing we can’t fix. There are things that come up through the season you have to suddenly focus.”

We don’t have enough players to [rest ahead of the derby against Sunderland on the weekend]. The best way to keep players fit and fresh is to play football. Even if we do rotate players, we still bring them and they are part of the group. We are here in full strength.

“Yoane Wissa’s body language has been good, he felt boosted by coming on the pitch. He is ready to take on minutes. We have limited time between matches for him to get fitness, but in those 20 minutes he showed what he is capable of.”