Newcastle United

More from Eddie Howe on the evolution of his Newcastle team: "I think naturally you do evolve as time goes on. I think we are probably going through a period where we have had the biggest change to the squad in my time here.

"In an ideal world you have a full six-week pre-season and you iron out any issues you have and you can form your partnerships and team relationships as you start the season.

"We are in the position now where we have to do it as we play but I have no issue with doing that, I have done it before.

"I am excited about the team we can be. We certainly have things to learn about each other and formulas to try and generate that we know will work but I think the biggest thing is; the foundation is solid, the team is playing with strength and I think we are just missing that X-factor.

"I think that will come with the players that we have. Some are guaranteed goals and have done that historically and I see no reason why we won't as a team score regularly again."

Newcastle United

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe was asked what it was like going into this year's competition as holders: "It is nice, it has got a nice feel about it. It is something that we acknowledge and we want to respect that by trying to do our best to go on another good run.

"As we found last year, the early rounds are very difficult. We played Wimbledon and it was a very difficult game, a 1-0 win and it was the same two years before. We squeezed through against Tranmere - they are tough games.

"We fully respect every opponent and these early rounds are so important that you just try and find a way to get through."

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Newcastle United

Here's more on that line about Yoane Wissa's injury from Newcastle manager Eddie Howe: "He's receiving treatment. No operation needed. We're looking the other side of the international break and hoping he'll be fit and available for that first game."

The international break will take place between Newcastle's Premier League games at home to Nottingham Forest (5 October) and away to Brighton (18 October).

Newcastle United

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe on what it would mean to go far in the EFL Cup again: "The experiences that we have been through in the competition and not just last year, two seasons ago, were memorable to say the least. They are some of my strongest memories of success. The semi-finals, the whole experience of the competition - I think it's a great one.

"I think because you are going into it early in the season as well, it has a freshness to it but we are up against tough opponents, they are doing very well in their league and they are on a strong winning run. They have beaten two Championship teams to get to this point so full credit to them and Graham Alexander."

Newcastle United

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe on squad rotation against Bradford: "There will be an element of rotation. The guys that have played three games last week, we might look to give them a rest but we want to pick a strong team and want to progress so we have to get the balance right.

"We also don't want players to lose rhythm so that is really important to."

Newcastle United

Eddie Howe has given an update on summer signing Yoane Wissa's knee injury, which the DR Congo striker picked up on international duty.

He says he does not require surgery.

More to follow.

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Newcastle United

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe was asked about the depth he has available: "I think we have a strong squad and I think the rotation that we made in the game is a reflection of that.

"Two years ago we got to a stage where we couldn't rotate anybody and we are just trying to navigate the situation better if we can this time around but we still want to win games.

"I thought the team we picked against Bournemouth was a very strong team and I thought we performed strongly albeit without a real goal threat."

Newcastle United

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is talking now, here he is on how he's enjoying this period of the season: "I always enjoy the games and always enjoy preparing the games. The matches is what we are here for. We embrace every competition we are in and the EFL Cup is a competition that we love so we are desperate to do well again."

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Newcastle United

The Magpies may be struggling in front of the opposition goal but they are standing firm in front of their own.

Only Arsenal and Crystal Palace (2) have conceded less than Newcastle in the Premier League so far this season.

Eddie Howe's side have kept four clean-sheets out of five with their only goals conceded (3) coming in the one game against Liverpool.

Newcastle's results this season:

• Aston Villa 0-0 Newcastle
• Newcastle 2-3 Liverpool
• Leeds 0-0 Newcastle
• Newcastle 1-0 Wolves
• Newcastle 1-2 Barcelona - Champions League
• Bournemouth 0-0 Newcastle

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Another man that could help with Newcastle's goalscoring troubles is fellow summer signing Yoane Wissa.

The DR Congo international is yet to make his debut for the Magpies after suffering a knee injury on international duty.

Manager Eddie Howe ruled him out until the next international break, which is scheduled for the second week of October and runs until 18 October.

We'll see if Howe is able to give more of a clear timeframe in his news conference later this morning.

Ciaran Kelly
BBC Sport reporter

Newcastle had no time to dwell. Less than 72 hours after tasting defeat against Barcelona, they were embarking on their longest away trip of the top-flight campaign.

Sunday felt a psychological test as much as a physical one against a relentless Bournemouth side - and away days certainly not do come much tougher than a trip to the Vitality.

Newcastle had not won at Bournemouth in front of supporters in nearly a decade. Home or away, head coach Eddie Howe has yet to defeat his former side in the Premier League since taking charge of Newcastle nearly four years ago.

Perhaps, then, it was not a surprise that Howe switched to a back three and ensured his side had a solid defensive base to build from with Thiaw, Lewis Hall and Sven Botman among seven changes.

After weathering some early pressure, though, Newcastle lacked a cutting edge with Nick Woltemade tidy in linking play, but only having one touch inside the opposition box in the first half.

Newcastle had just one effort on target as they became just the second team in top-flight history to record goalless draws in their first three away top-flight matches to a season.

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Apologies for that one - but will Newcastle's new man be able to prove the difference maker in front of goal?

Well, since his arrival, he has two appearances in the Premier League and one goal.

Keep that record up and he won't be far off the numbers that former striker Alexander Isak put up in 2024-25.

Truth be told, it's far too early to judge just how well the young German forward will do but it has been a positive start.

His goal on debut against Wolves was brilliantly well taken and he looked busy against Bournemouth but was starved of supply.

Should a chance arise, he has already shown that he has the ability to take it.

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When you consider the fact that Newcastle let their top scorer from last season Alexander Isak leave the club this summer, it's no surprise that they are struggling in front of goal this campaign.

Isak scored 23 times in the Premier League in 2024-25, only behind Liverpool's Mohamed Salah in the scoring charts.

He scored 33.8% of the Magpies' goals in the league and was involved in more than 40% of them.

This season so far, only Aston Villa have scored less goals than Newcastle.

Eddie Howe's side have fired blank in three of their five top flight games and have scored just three in total. Two against Liverpool and one against bottom of the league Wolves.

Ciaran Kelly
BBC Sport reporter

It’s been a while, all right.

You have to go back nearly 70 years for the last time Newcastle United started the defence of a major domestic trophy.

But the Carabao Cup holders will be plotting their return to Wembley when they face Bradford City at St James’ Park in the third round on Wednesday night.

Newcastle may have a packed fixture list, but there is no chance of Eddie Howe is underestimating the League One leaders.

I’d expect Howe to name a strong side and to hint as much at his news conference this morning, particularly given Newcastle’s need to start clicking in the final third.

After all, as strong as Newcastle have been at the back, the black-and-whites have scored just three goals in their opening five league fixtures.

Fast forward to the present day, and Eddie Howe is busy rebuilding his side after a summer of flux...

And it continued in Newcastle, as thousands of supporters turned out to watch the team parade the Carabao Cup trophy around the streets of the city...

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The celebration started in and around Wembley, complete with a drones show...

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Sunday, 16 March - it's a day that will be forever burned - see what I did there - into the memories of every Newcastle United fan...

Dan Burn celebrated his first England call-up by meeting Kieran Trippier's corner with a towering header in first-half stoppage time, before Alexander Isak pounced to finish clinically from Jacob Murphy's knockdown after 52 minutes.

Liverpool, who were knocked out of the Champions League on penalties by Paris St-Germain earlier in the week, pulled a goal back through substitute Federico Chiesa in injury time.

Newcastle, however, survived a tense finish to clinch their first major silverware since the Inter-Cities Fairs Cup in 1969 and first domestic success since the 1955 FA Cup.

Right, let's cast our minds back to March, and the explosion of joy that heralded the end of Newcastle United's 70-year wait for a domestic trophy.

Was it worth the wait? We will let Magpies fans be the judge of that.

But goals from local lad Dan Burn and the striker who shall remain nameless triggered an outpouring of emotion not often witnessed at the Carabao Cup final.

The question is folks, could this be your club this season?

Well, there are 28 teams left in the competition who will be hoping to make it so...

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Once we have heard from Eddie Howe, BBC Sport's Phil McNulty will be taking the floor for his weekly Q&A.

Our chief football writer will be on hand to answer your questions on any footballing topic - from the Premier League and Carabao Cup to European and international matters, and everything in between.

Get your questions in early to avoid disappointment.

Just click on the 'Get Involved' button at the top of this page and remember to mark your questions for Phil's attention.

Thanks.