Newcastle set for double boost? – Official update and Howe’s tough call for Ipswich clash
Eddie Howe was back in the hot seat this morning at the club’s media base, speaking all things Newcastle United ahead of our vital home clash with Ipswich tomorrow.
After discussing his health following a two-week battle with pneumonia, the boss offered an update on the injury front and shared some encouraging news on that front.
A key man is back in training ahead of schedule and first-team regular who limped off last weekend should be OK. Here is the latest:
Positive news on defensive duo
We may not see Lewis Hall again this season, but it sounds like Sven Botman is making superb progress, while Fabian Schar is likely to be fine for Saturday’s game.
Botman was pencilled in for early May after surgery on his knee in late March. However, Howe has revealed today that he’s ‘trained well’ this week and has taken a “really big step’ towards returning to the squad.
Schar had a hamstring issue in the closing stages of our 4-1 defeat to Aston Villa on Saturday, but the boss is hopeful the Swiss centre-back will be fine.
Howe’s tough call
The team has often picked itself in recent weeks, with our run of wins only coming to an end in last Saturday’s 4-1 bashing at Villa Park.
Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy have been in-form, but Anthony Gordon will be pushing for a return to the side after suspension and injury on international duty limiting him to very few starts over the last two months.
Dropping Barnes at the first opportunity would seem harsh and there is no stopping Murphy, who has 22 goal involvements in all competitions.
With that in mind, I think Gordon may be made to wait, especially as he’s struggled to make a major impact in recent cameo appearances from the bench.
Stoke City target snapped up by Ipswich Town on three-year deal
Stoke City target Charlie Wood has joined Ipswich Town from Needham Market, as per TWTD.
Stoke City have been linked with a move for the youngster, as per journalist Pete O’Rourke on X. However, SCFC will now have to look elsewhere following his switch to Portman Road.
Wood, 17, has caught the eye playing in the National League North for Needham Market this season. He is being tipped for a bright future in the game and has been allowed to move on for a fresh challenge higher up the football pyramid.
In this latest update regarding his situation, TWTD have confirmed that Ipswich Town have snapped him up on a permanent deal and they have handed him a three-year contract running until June 2028. They add that he had a trial with AFC Bournemouth earlier in this campaign.
The Tractor Boys were promoted to the Premier League last year under Kieran McKenna. However, it has been a tough past 12 months for them in the top flight and they are set to return to the Football League with Southampton and Leicester City.
Stoke City will have to look elsewhere for young prospects after Wood’s transfer to Suffolk. The Potters aren’t safe in the Championship just yet.
Stoke City miss out on Charlie Wood to Ipswich Town
Stoke City could have seen Wood as someone to boost their youth ranks. If he had made the switch to Staffordshire, he would have likely initially played for their development side with a view to breaking into the first-team down the line.
