StadiumPosts Logo
Stay upto date with notifications from Stadiumposts
Notifications can be managed in browser preferences

INJURY SCARE: SANDRO TONALI AND YOANE WISSA QUESTIONABLE FOR PREMIER LEAGUE CLASH

Eddie Howe gave an important fitness update: Sandro Tonali's injury isn't serious, but he's questionable for Burnley, while £55 million signing Yoane Wissa nears his debut.

Injury Scare:  Sandro Tonali and Yoane Wissa Questionable for Premier League Clash
Howe Gives Crucial Fitness Update Before Burnley

Ahead of Newcastle United's Premier League clash with Burnley, ex-Burnley boss Eddie Howe gave an update on the fitness of two important Newcastle players.

Burnley, now managed by Scott Parker, will face Newcastle at St. James’ Park this Saturday. Sandro Tonali and Yoane Wissa are questionable for the home team. Tonali, who plays for Italy, had to leave during the Tottenham Hotspur game due to a knock. After a scan, his chances of playing against the Clarets this weekend are uncertain.

Wissa's also not a sure thing for the game, but he's been back at practice, playing in two practice matches this past week. Since joining from Brentford for £55 million on deadline day, the 29-year-old hasn't played yet.

Howe mentioned in his pre-match press conference that Tonali had a scan, but they don't believe it's too serious.

He said they're doing everything they can to see if he can play. It was a knock, similar to what Joelinton had, like a dead leg. However, Tonali's injury was serious enough to warrant a scan, and they'll check on his condition today to decide if he can play.

Howe continued that Sven Botman received an injection in his back, and he hasn't seen him since the Tottenham game. The hope is the injection will help him recover quickly. It usually takes about a week for the injection to take full effect, and then they'll evaluate his progress.

Regarding Wissa, Howe said he's getting closer to playing. He played in an 11 v 11 game on Wednesday for about half an hour and did well. They'll check on him today, too.

Howe added that Wissa has looked good so far and has gotten through everything asked of him. Howe said that they still have practice today, and they have to determine if Wissa is ready to not just be fit but also ready to make a positive impact and perform at his best.

Newcastle has a busy schedule ahead, with a Champions League game against Bayer Leverkusen following the Burnley match and then the Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.

EXPERT ANALYSIS: EDDIE HOWE IDENTIFIES "CONFIDENCE" AS THE KEY TO FIXING NEWCASTLE’S AWAY FORM

Despite a nervy second half, Eddie Howe’s side clinched their second away win of the season. Read the full Turf Moor match report.

top-news
Eddie Howe says Newcastle are still not "super confident"

Eddie Howe’s team barely scraped by Burnley, grabbing only their second Premier League away win this season.

The Magpies jumped ahead quickly with a goal from Joelinton at Turf Moor. Soon after, Yoane Wissa, in his debut Premier League start for the club, made it 2-0. Josh Laurent then scored an awesome volley, cutting the lead in half. Newcastle clung to their lead until Bruno Guimaraes scored a third goal during stoppage time.

It wasn't a pretty game for Newcastle United on that cold night in Lancashire. They needed those three points, especially after that tough loss to Manchester United at Old Trafford on Friday.

This win nudged Howe’s team into the top half of the Premier League, with Crystal Palace and Leeds United up next. But, let's be real, their play didn't exactly inspire confidence that they've turned things around away from home.

Eddie Howe shared his thoughts on Newcastle United’s win over Burnley. What’s the answer to their away game struggles? Howe thinks it boils down to ‘confidence.’

“I think we've been close before. I feel we're headed in the right direction when you look at how we’re playing, Howe said as he talked about his team’s showing.

“If you keep playing well, you’ll win. Manchester United is a good example. I don’t think we played badly, and we had chances to get more from the game. We didn't score, but we played well overall.

“I think we will win games because of the kind of play that we have, and that’s what happened. We're not feeling super confident right now, which is clear.

“But, I think it’s mostly a confidence thing. And the only way to fix that is to win the next game.”

Howe said this: “It was a huge win for us. I don't think it matters how we got it. We just needed to get it.

“We started really strong, knowing how crucial this game was. I can’t say enough about how the players fought through it.

“That second half was significant for us. We had to make it.

“I give the players credit for finishing the game and showing the team's character.”

Newcastle United now has a few days to chill after the win at Turf Moor before heading back to Tyneside for four home games in a row. First up is Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday. After that, they’re up against Daniel Farke’s Leeds United at St. James’ Park on Wednesday, January 7.

Then, they’ve got two cup games against Premier League teams. They’re hosting Bournemouth in the FA Cup and then playing the first leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City.

EDDIE HOWE ADDRESSES ALAN SHEARER’S COMMENTS BEFORE TONIGHT’S MAJOR KICKOFF AT BURNLEY

Alan Shearer sets a massive challenge for Newcastle United: win the next four games to ignite their 2026 Premier League campaign.

top-news
Alan Shearer Wants Eddie Howe To Stay Until The Summer.

Before tonight's game against Burnley, Alan Shearer told Newcastle United what he wants to see in the next month.

Newcastle is currently 14th in the Premier League, which isn't good enough, but there's still a lot of the season left.

Even though Eddie Howe isn't in danger of losing his job, people are still worried about how the team is playing.

Another loss at Burnley on Tuesday would really increase the pressure. Alan Shearer thinks this game could be the start of something better.

Newcastle United Needs to Win Their Next Four Games

On Match of the Day, the Newcastle United legend sounded positive about the team's next few games and & thinks this could turn their season around.

He said, Yes, this could change things. A few weeks ago, everyone thought Fulham would get demoted, but they've won three straight games, and & now they're in the top half.

Newcastle needs to do that. Their next four games are against Burnley, Palace, Leeds, and Wolves. They have a good chance to win some.

These four league games are part of a busy January for Newcastle, with important Champions League matches against PSV Eindhoven and PSG and an FA Cup game against Bournemouth, as well as the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final versus Man City.

This period of games could really make or break Newcastle's season.

He should stay until the end of the season so everyone can make a better decision instead of rushing into anything. Hopefully, there will be more choices to replace him by the summer.

Where Newcastle Could Be If They Win

Let's say Newcastle wins all four of their games. It might happen, but those 12 points might just push Newcastle to just outside the top five or six in the league.

Aston Villa could get no points during that time and still be ahead of Newcastle before they play each other at the end of January. That shows how far apart Newcastle and Aston Villa are this season.

Still, getting to 35 points before the end of next month would really help Newcastle. The teams above them will probably also get points, so Newcastle might not move up the table much, but it's important for them to catch up to their rivals soon.

Premier League Standings

WhatsApp Read More News