Newcastle United

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Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on Yoane Wissa and the patience required: "If you look at Yoane's situation. He will need almost a pre-season and the pre-season schedule we give to players is six weeks.

"We do that for a reason so we can build them up. I'm not saying he won't play for six weeks but to get to his very best level it will probably take that time.

"Firstly, before we get to that stage, we need to get him fully 100% fit and then we can really push him.

"He has been to see a specialist yesterday, that was a routine appointment. He is on track, he is doing well and now we can push him a little bit harder."

On whether he is still expected back early November: "Yes, whatever I said a while ago."

Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler on how the rumours that Manchester United are interested in Baleba might affect the defender: "I think it's the next step for him as a person, as a personality to overcome the rumours and the noise because it's only the noise that tries to distract him from performing for us for Brighton.

"The main thing, and it's not only for us here regarding development, in general for his career he needs to focus on what he can control because he can't influence the rumours and the noise, only the things he does on the pitch."

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on the importance of Nick Pope: "It can be taken for granted. The two saves he made the other night, both were outstanding saves in big moments. If you go a goal behind it makes it so much harder.

"I thought the first one in particular, it was unorthodox but he has found a way to keep it out and I think that has always been his biggest strength - he finds a way. He uses his big frame to the best of his ability and advantage.

"I go back to the [EFL Cup] final, the save he made when we were 2-0 up - it was a massive save. Goals always get the full coverage and I understand that but Nick is very valuable to us."

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe was asked about Arne Slot's comments on Alexander Isak: "I do not think that is wise for me to get involved in. Alex is no longer at this football club so I will not comment on that."

Howe was pressed further on Slot's remarks: "The set-up here is very good. It's not perfect, we have things to improve and grow but the owners here have developed the facilities very, very well.

"There is building work going on currently to help us deliver better in the future. We have elite athletes here and touch wood we are managing them well at the moment."

Brighton & Hove Albion

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Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler on Carlos Baleba comment that he is 'like himself again': "I think it's very important to understand that we saw some really good actions from Baleba against Newcastle and I'm pleased to hear this.

"It's always the most important how a player feels, that he feels like he's getting back to his own.

"Now it's about all the behaviours that he showed against Newcastle and making them into habits, if you do it consistently, daily business, every training showing these behaviours and actions then you get habits.

"I feel also that he's getting back more and more to his shape and hopefully he can continue with that performance tomorrow."

Newcastle United

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More from Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on Nick Woltemade: "I'm not surprised Anthony Gordon likes playing with him because I think they have very good technical qualities and I think good technical players like playing with each other.

"I think Nick has settled in well in that respect especially because the lads trust him with the ball and they want to give him the ball in every moment.

"It is a testament to Nick's attitude and bravery that he has come to a new league and he is expressing himself in his way straight away. Long may that continue."

Brighton & Hove Albion

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Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler on Danny Welbeck's possible recall to the England squad: "I didn't talk to him about that but I'm sure he's only focused on performing here and performing well, that's the only thing he can influence, the rest isn't in his hands and he can't control.

"It's only about performance and improving every week and being ready to play at the highest level.

"I'm sure Thomas [Tuchel] will watch him and I'm happy to see that England are progressing well with Thomas so I'm sure he will make the right decision and let's see what he will decide regarding Danny."

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on difference in form between the Champions League and Premier League, and how they improve the league form: "It's all down to mentality. It is down to our attitude. There is no difference to me between a pre-season game or Premier League game.

"Whatever the competition, our attitude has to be the same. Our attitude against Benfica was very, very good but now we need to back that up with a consistent performance and a will to win."

Brighton & Hove Albion

Brighton boss Fabian Hurzeler has confirmed that Diego Gomez is fit and "able to start".

However, Kaoru Mitoma, Brajan Gruda and Joel Veltman are all close but Hurzeler says they have to go "training to training" to see who will be available for tomorrow.

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on Bruno Guimaraes: "I think one of the biggest strengths Bruno brings is his consistency, the consistency of his body, his attitude, he is a very positive person. I think that positivity he brings, he carries through in all aspects of his life.

"The reliability, he very rarely lets us down. He is always there and that is the attribute of a top player. That consistency. To deliver week on week, month on month and season after season. Full compliments to him."

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on Nick Woltemade: "Physically there has been a vast improvement [since he arrived]. I think that was his best physical performance against Benfica. I thought his pressing from the front, his attitude to press, his durability and robustness was excellent.

"The challenge for him at this moment is that he's got to do it every three or four days and that is not easy physically and mentally.

"He has a lot of responsibility on his shoulders but he is carrying that really well. I see a player and a person coming into the training ground that feels more at home in his environment, a lot more relaxed and you are seeing his natural personality come out. I am very pleased with him."

On whether he is OK to play tomorrow: "We will see today. We have a full training session today so we will see a lot of players that haven't trained since the game."

Newcastle United

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More from Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on Sandro Tonali: "Sandro is happy, I think he is enjoying his football and I think he feels integral to the squad and feels the love from the supporters and players.

"You can never foresee what the future holds, I think I have learned that now but we are just enjoying his qualities and how he is playing and expressing himself in the team and long may that continue."

On whether he believes Tonali is or has the potential to become one of the best midfielders in the world: "Potentially. It's very difficult to label players, I don't tend to like doing that. I think it's a dangerous thing to do. I always think the players have to prove that consistently and I don't think it helps me to do that.

"I think the attributes are there in his game to be that. The attitude is there. Fundamentally, it is so important that the consistency and daily habits that a player has and then you see it come out on the pitch - Sandro has all those qualities.

"He has a bit of everything but the challenge is to improve, the challenge is to consistently show you are that and I would back him to do it."

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on Jacob Ramsey: "I'm really pleased for JJ [returning from injury] because coming to a new club, the last thing you want to do is pick up an injury early on, you want to show your qualities and what you can bring to the team.

"He had a period away, worked hard and has come back now to full fitness. I have been impressed and I feel there is still so much more to come both physically and technically.

"I think he has outstanding technical qualities, he is a very intelligent player and I think the best is yet to come."

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on Sandro Tonali's contract: "A lot happened around the time that he was banned. A lot of discussions between Sandro's representatives and the football club.

"Obviously there was the contract situation involving him and sacrificial wages that Sandro volunteered, which I thought spoke volumes for his mentality and how he conducted himself in that period.

"And the club came to an agreement so he had an extension of his contract which is a great thing but most importantly how he conducted himself in that ban - I thought he was brilliant and that has led to his brilliant performances."

On Tonali's commitment to the club: "It's a two-way thing. Sandro has felt the love with everyone connected to the club.

"The supporters have been absolutely incredible with him, during the ban for one but that support during the ban then followed through with helping Sandro return to football and helping him with his issues off the pitch.

"He needed that support at that time and now we are seeing the benefits. He has been brilliant since returning to football."

Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe on team news: "Everybody has come through [the Benfica game] OK. Obviously after a game there are a couple of sore bodies but nothing serious.

"Sandro is still the player we are monitoring. He did train on Wednesday but didn't feel 100% so he is the one that is probably touch and go for the game."

Eddie Howe has arrived so let's not mess around, here is what the Newcastle boss has had to say...

Ciaran Kelly
BBC Sport reporter

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Fulham may be without a win this month.

But they did the double over Newcastle United last season and there is no chance of Eddie Howe taking the visitors lightly on Saturday as his side look to build momentum.

Though Newcastle recorded an emphatic midweek win against Benfica in the Champions League, the challenge now is to take such a performance into the Premier League, where they currently lie in 14th place.

Expect that to be one of the main themes of Howe’s news conference this morning ahead of the game at St James’ Park.

So what else could he be quizzed about?

Well, in a week where it emerged that Sandro Tonali signed a contract extension during his betting ban, which means his deal could now run until 2030, Howe is sure to be asked about whether the club will look to offer the influential midfielder fresh terms.

Howe will also be questioned about the availability of Tonali, who was only fit enough to make the bench against Benfica due to illness, as well as offering the latest on Yoane Wissa, who has been back working out on the grass of late as the summer signing steps up his recovery from a knee injury.

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There is no denying that Newcastle have struggled for form so far in the Premier League.

The Magpies currently sit 14th in the league and a large reason behind that is their inability to find the net.

Only twice have they scored more than one goal in a game in the top flight and they are yet to hit three goals in a single match.

Those struggles haven't translated to Europe and the Champions League, though.

In fact, the Magpies have scored more goals in their three European fixtures combined (8) than they have so far in their eight Premier League matches (7).

Will Saturday be the day they find their sparkle on home soil?