Neil

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on Sven Botman undergoing knee surgery: "It's a big blow. It’s a complex story with Sven. Initially he had a partial tear [earlier this season]. We sought specialist opinion and there was conflicting reports on what he should do next.

"Ultimately, our medical team advised him to get surgery, but he wanted to carry on. He has then aggravated that issue.

"He now has a long road ahead of him, but the operation went well so we hope he comes back in a better place. Now we'll support him and help him back."

Anon

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Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on whether any players will return from injury, in particular Harvey Barnes and Kieran Trippier: "Possibly, we'll have to wait and see."

On Lewis Miley's fitness after he was injured with England Under-20s: "Lewis has come back to us with a back problem, we are seeking specialist opinion on him, we don’t know exactly what it is right now."

Josh in Toddington

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Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on whether Sandro Tonali's ban will be extended: "We don't know is the honest answer - I certainly hope for Sandro that there is no further consequences. He has suffered during this period.

"He has seeked [out] help. He has been very honest with us. He has admitted he has an issue. The best thing for Sandro would be for him to resume his career having taken his punishment and learnt a lot of lessons from this."

On whether the news of Tonali facing more charges was a shock: "It might have been a surprise externally, but not for us. He is seeking help on a regular basis. This is something that will not be going away. He has regular meetings both here and an Italy to deal with it.

"He has trained really well, and his English has improved. He has the support of his team-mates. I am positive about his comeback whenever that is."

A couple of Newcastle United transfer snippets feature in today's gossip column.

The Magpies and Manchester City will rival Manchester United for the signing of Everton and England Under-21 centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite, 21. (Football Transfers), external

Newcastle ran the rule over several Brazil players during their friendly against England last week, with Barcelona winger Raphinha, 27, and Juventus defender Gleison Bremer, 27, thought to be on their radar. (Newcastle Chronicle), external

Read Friday's gossip column here...

Joe

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Women's Super League champions Chelsea will face Barcelona in the other Women's Super League semi-final after the Spanish giants secured their passage against Norwegian side Brann.

England internationals Lucy Bronze and Keira Walsh were both in Barca's line-up as they followed up their first-leg win with another dominant display.

Aitana Bonmati hooked in a 23rd-minute opener before Barca netted again through Fridolina Rolfo, who bundled home when Mikalsen failed to clear a goalmouth scramble.

Tomine Svendheim pulled one back for Brann, but Patri Guijarro scored an 88th-minute tap-in to seal Barca's 3-1 win.

That set up a repeat of last year's semi-final, when Barca beat Chelsea 2-1 on aggregate before going on to win the competition for a second time having also beaten Chelsea 4-0 in the 2021 final.

The semi-final first leg is in Barcelona on 20-21 April, with the second leg played at Stamford Bridge on 27-28 April.

Image source, Getty Images

The semi-final line-up for the Women's Champions League is now confirmed with Barcelona and Paris St-Germain both winning the second leg of their quarter-finals on Thursday.

They both led after the first leg, and PSG secured their passage with Tabitha Chawinga firing into the bottom corner to open the scoring against Swedish side Hacken.

United States midfielder Korbin Albert extended PSG's lead with a long-range drive before Marie-Antoinette Katoto headed home Sakina Karchaoui's cross to seal a 3-0 victory.

They will now face French rivals Lyon - record eight-time winners of the competition - for a place in the final in Bilbao on 25 May.

Richard in Norwich

Newcastle went warm weather training during the international break, with manager Eddie Howe saying the squad really needed a rest.

Defender Dan Burn has come in for some criticism from fans this season and spoke to BBC Sport on Thursday.

“It has been a challenging season. Obviously the amount of injuries, we don’t want to use that as an excuse, but we’ve had a lot.

“This the first experience for the majority of lads playing European football, we needed that rest mentally as much as physically.”

On his own season and criticism of form

“Yes it’s been tough. You’re playing against the best players in the world. It’s all about consistency at this level and when you’re not playing consistently you come in for criticism.

“I probably haven’t hit the heights I did last season, but I’m still enjoying it and still want to prove people wrong. I’ve know I’ve got a lot of doubters but I’ve had that all my career so its not changed.

“I want to work hard and make those improvements.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, BBC Sport

Newcastle's hopes of a trophy ended when they were knocked out of the FA Cup before the international break so it feels like a big end to the season for their manager Eddie Howe, starting now.

The same applies to West Ham boss David Moyes too, because there has been plenty of speculation about his future too, as well as criticism from fans.

But the Hammers are still in Europe, with a Europa League quarter-final against Bayer Leverkusen to look forward to, while Newcastle's campaign has unravelled a bit in the past few weeks.

League position is all Newcastle have to play for now and I don't think Howe can afford to let this campaign peter out. They are four points behind seventh-place West Ham with a game in hand, so a win here would be massive for them.

And, while Howe's side have not been as strong defensively this season, I still always feel they have a goal in them. That's why I reckon they will edge this.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

You can read the rest of my predictions for the weekend's Premier League matches here...

Tom in Laugharne.

Image source, Getty Images

There will be one subject Newcastle boss Eddie Howe will be unable to avoid when he takes questions from journalists at a news conference set to get under way shortly.

Midfielder Sandro Tonali has been charged with misconduct by the Football Association for alleged breaches of betting rules.

The 23-year-old is currently serving a 10-month ban issued by the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) in October for breaking betting rules in Italy. The FA alleges Tonali broke its rules by placing 50 bets on matches between 12 August and 12 October 2023.

We'll hear what Howe has got to say on the matter, and bring you all the other major talking points from his briefing with the media, imminently.

Dean in Norfolk

In case you missed it, Liverpool expect Xabi Alonso to stay at Bayer Leverkusen this summer and are to consider other candidates to replace manager Jurgen Klopp.

Spaniard Alonso, 42, has been heavily linked with the role at Anfield since Klopp said he will stand down.

Leverkusen are on the brink of a first Bundesliga title and are unbeaten in all competitions this season.

Bayern Munich's honorary president Uli Hoeness said a move for Alonso this summer is "probably impossible".

Alonso was also seen as a candidate to take over at the Bavarian giants, whose manager Thomas Tuchel will depart at the end of the campaign.

"[Alonso] is more inclined to stay at Bayer Leverkusen in view of their current successes, because he would not want to leave them behind," Hoeness said.

Alonso, a stylish midfielder, played 210 times for Liverpool from 2004 to 2009.

Spanish football expert recently Guillem Balague spoke to the BBC's Football News Show about Alonso's potential future career path.

Rob Carter: Re Oliver in Barrow at 08:10. What do you mean "Trust the club"? The club has won one league title in 34 years. One. I wouldn't trust them to win an egg and spoon race.

Why has Xabi Alonso become the hottest managerial property right now?

BBC Sport recently took a closer at look at why the Spaniard is just so highly rated.

Anon

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