Eddie Howe has tough job on hands with his team struck by injuries |IMAGO / News Images
The departure of Alexandar Isak to Liverpool has already left a void in the Newcastle’s attacking force, even though the likes of Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes stayed back in the setup. German winger Nick Woltemade was roped in the dying moments of the transfer window as a reinforcement and had an immediate impact when he scored the winner on debut against Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Despite the flying start, he was not in the starting XI against Barcelona in their continental clash, which raised a few eyebrows. Manager Eddie Howe feels that it will a challenge for the management to keep hit fit throughout the season, but will try best possible to give him as much time as possible.
“Yeah, we're going to have to look after Nick as I said and I think that it's hard enough for him to come into a new league and you can see the physical effects he felt at Wolves, and then the quick turnaround in games here,” said Eddie Howe during a press conference.
“So there's no guarantee even by managing him that he's going to stay fit and play all the games, but we're going to try and give him the best chance to stay fit and also acclimatize to the league that he's in. But he's made a very good start. He did well when he came on today (against Barcelona). Was really pleased with him. He was involved in the goal. So, hopefully he’ll be in a good place,” added Howe.
Newcastle have had a mixed start to the Premier League season, having won just one out of the four matches played so far. Unfortunately, the fixtures will come thick and fast for them till Christmas, with two matches per week owing to European commitments, which means less recovery time.
Yoane Wissa, brought on deadline transfer day for the ‘Magpies’ is yet to make his debut for his new club, owing to the injury suffered during his national duty for DR Congo. The English manager feels that the club is doing everything possible to keep him fit, even though he is likely to be out of action until the next international break.
“There’s nothing personally I would have done different. We did everything as a football club to try and look after Yoane, but it's like any footballer, when they go away on the international duty and (we are) not in control of the minutes they play and unfortunately got injured,” remarked the Newcastle manager.
“And now we just have to deal the best we can with that situation. We think he'll be out until the next international break. He’s sort of got to race on to be fit for that Brighton game. Hopefully, he can make it and then he will be such an important player for us,” concluded Howe.
The Newcastle boss was all in praise of Anthony Elanga, who provided a precise cross to Anthony Gordon early in the game against the Spanish giants and was also a live wire in the field. He feels that the former Manchester United man will play a crucial role in their campaign, especially with his pace, direct running as well as his defensive skills.
Newcastle will be up against Bournemouth in an afternoon kick-off this weekend, followed by their EFL Cup third-round tie with Bradford City. It will get tougher next weekend when Arsenal pay a visit up North.
