Newcastle United

There are two Premier League games on Sunday and BBC Sport will bring you all the action and reaction throughout the day.

All times BST

BBC Radio 5 Live match commentary on both games on BBC Sounds

• Wolves v Newcastle - BBC Radio WM from 16:30 BST

Chris Sutton is making predictions for all 380 Premier League matches this season, against a variety of guests.

For week four, he takes on Femi Koleoso and Ife Ogunjobi from jazz band Ezra Collective, the 2023 Mercury Music Prize winners.

Sutton's prediction: 1-1

Newcastle are unbeaten in the Premier League so far but their performances have not been there and they have got away with it a little bit up until now.

Wolves, in contrast, are yet to win. They made lots of mistakes when they got hammered 6-2 by Chelsea, but created plenty of chances themselves too.

Is it going to click for Newcastle this time, or will Wolves get it together? You could make a case for both teams and, whoever wins, it would not surprise me.

The safe bet would be a draw here, and you can guarantee that is the result the public will vote for above, but only spineless people would go for that ...

Koleoso's prediction: 1-1

These are both tricky teams to predict. Newcastle don't look good at all, and Wolves kind of gave up against Chelsea.

Ogunjobi prediction: 2-1

Wolves looked good against Chelsea in the first half, then fell apart. I reckon they will take this one.

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Image source, Getty Images

Earlier, we asked you who has made the most Premier League appearances for Newcastle United.

The correct answer is Shay Given - the former Republic of Ireland goalkeeper played 354 games in the competition for the Magpies.

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has defended his transfer spending since joining the club in November 2021, and says "everyone can hold their heads up very high".

His comments come fafter sporting director Paul Mitchell claimed the policy he had inherited from predecessor Dan Ashworth needed a significant overhaul., external

In a recent interview, Mitchell spoke at length about trying to fit into the club's pre-existing strategy on transfers and how that had proven "hard"., external

"I'm very, very proud of every single player that we signed in that period," said Howe on Friday. "It is very easy to look back at any transfer window and make a judgement on the players you have signed three years down the line.

"But you have to go back to the situation when we were in those moments, in the relegation zone and trying to recruit players. That is not an easy thing to do.

"You're also recruiting not just for the short term, but for the long term. When you look back, that work was good. Our objective was to stay in the league, so I'm not going to critique every signing, but I'm very, very proud of the body of work that we did and the players that we have now from the legacy of those transfer windows."

Howe brought in Kieran Trippier and Bruno Guimaraes in that relegation-battle stretch and further strengthened the squad with Nick Pope, Sven Botman, Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes, Sandro Tonali and Tino Livramento, following the appointment of Ashworth.

"We love them to bits, so I think it's about when you're in that moment and the decisions that you made," Howe added. "I think everyone can hold their heads up very high."

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game away to Wolves (16:30 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Howe offered an update on the fitness of Callum Wilson: "He hasn't had a setback but he's a little bit behind where we wanted him to be. We envisaged that he might be training at this moment in preparation for the game but he's probably a little bit behind."

• Joe Willock has been seen in training with the group this week which is a "positive for sure" but has not been in "full training".

• Howe said he is "delighted" Sandro Tonali is available and started both of Italy's games over the international break: "I think those games will have done him the world of good and he's performed well and been part of a winning team as well."

• On Kieran Trippier, who remains at the club despite links with a move away, Howe offered: "Usually he's away with with England, so obviously he's closed that chapter in his career and that's given us an ability now to work with him in different parts of his game. The physical being probably the biggest one for him currently."

• Howe said he has been "very happy on the training pitch" over the international break: "Not being too soppy, that's my happiest environment. Coaching, helping the players, being with them, is what this job is all about. I'm enjoying myself."

• On sporting director Paul Mitchell's interview on the Magpies' summer transfer window: "I think it's really important there is transparency from the club and the financial situation that we have is not only discussed by me because I'm not a numbers and figures guy. I think it's good that we have different people communicating about those areas."

• Despite a quiet window, plans are not yet in place for January, with Howe stating: "No further discussions on anything. It is about unity. And it is about coming together now and making sure we focus on this time at the moment."

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Who has made the most Premier League appearances for Newcastle?

Answer will be revealed at 17:00 BST

England and Lille midfielder Angel Gomes has become Newcastle's top transfer target, but Liverpool, Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund are also interested in the 24-year-old. (Sun), external

The Magpies, Tottenham and Arsenal lead the race to sign Gomes' team-mate at Lille, Jonathan David, although Juventus are also keen on the Canada striker. (TuttoJuve), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Thursday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

The final part of our Q&A with BBC Radio Newcastle's Matthew Raisbeck is about the future of Magpies boss Eddie Howe.

Bob asked: Do you think Eddie Howe will still be at Newcastle come January?

Matthew replied: I do. Howe has made a long-term commitment to Newcastle United and is determined to be the manager who wins a trophy. His love for the club and strong bond with the supporters should not be underestimated.

However, I think the events of the summer have been unsettling for everyone.

Howe said just two months ago he needs to be "happy and feel supported and feel free to do the work that I love to do". The changes off the pitch also mean new working relationships have to be built. It is in everyone's interests for these to be positive.

If results continue to be good and performances improve, there is no argument for the club to change manager.

Newcastle do have to strengthen in January because another window without a major signing will do Howe and his players no favours whatsoever.

Matthew provides commentary on every Newcastle United match on BBC Radio Newcastle alongside former Magpies defender John Anderson

He will be in situe at Molineux on Sunday for full match commentary of Wolves v Newcastle from 16:30 BST

Image source, Getty Images

The third part of our Q&A with BBC Radio Newcastle's Matthew Raisbeck focuses on the physical condition of the squad at St James' Park.

Nigel asked: Eddie Howe says Newcastle are a bit behind in fitness levels when explaining away our lethargic start. Why might they be unfit compared with others - it seems strange?

Matthew replied: I agree with you. One of the hallmarks of Howe's Newcastle has been their high levels of fitness and, despite being unbeaten, they have definitely not been at their dynamic best in the first month of the season.

The manager says this is in part down to some players arriving back late for pre-season after being on international duty during the summer. So it has been good to see Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and especially Sandro Tonali get significant minutes for their countries over the past week.

It will also be interesting to find out how the new head of performance James Bunce is helping with this. It is something I intend to ask Howe about at his next news conference.

Image source, Getty Images

The second instalment of our Q&A with BBC Radio Newcastle's Matthew Raisbeck centres on Newcastle United's transfer strategy for player sales.

Iain asked: Why do Newcastle find it so hard to offload fringe or redundant players?

Matthew replied: They do struggle to move on some of the out-of-favour players. This has sometimes been because their high wages have put other clubs off - or because there just isn't much interest.

Some, like Isaac Hayden - a great servant to Newcastle - and Jeff Hendrick have had multiple loan moves while their contracts run down. Having players on the books but outside the 25-man Premier League squad is not ideal.

They did get good money for Chris Wood, a big fee - but perhaps not a reflection of his real value - for Allan Saint-Maximin, and received £65m for Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh combined to stay compliant with PSR.

However, Newcastle have acknowledged they need to be better at selling players generally.

That probably means making some hard decisions and letting first-team players leave when they are playing well because their value is at its highest. There have been some missed opportunities in recent years.

With PSR continuing to hurt them, they may also have to contemplate selling a big name - but that is something they do not want to do and deserve credit for avoiding doing so this summer.

Matthew commentates on every Newcastle United match for BBC Radio Newcastle and has the latest news from St James' Park every weeknight at 1800 on Total Sport North East

More replies to your questions to come over the course of Wednesday

Image source, Getty Images

Some 61% of the Premier League meetings between Newcastle United and Wolverhampton Wanderers have finished as a draw (11 out of 18) - the highest percentage of any fixture to have been played at least 15 times in the competition.

Image source, Getty Images

You have been putting your Magpies questions to BBC Radio Newcastle's Matthew Raisbeck and he will be answering a selection through the day.

Josh asked: Do you think the club's failure to strengthen the team in the recent transfer window will result in not qualifying for European football next season, and increase the chance of Bruno Guimareas, Alexander Isak or Anthony Gordon leaving?

Matthew replied: Newcastle have a brilliant manager and some outstanding players, so I still think this should be a strong and exciting season. However, I understand your longer-term concerns.

While most of their rivals strengthened this summer, Newcastle did not do enough. It is a huge risk. The club are under big pressure to deliver in the January window - either to keep the season on track, or to build from a position of strength.

Making quality signings is also a demonstration of ambition - because it proves to both the fans and the top players they already have they are serious about challenging for honours.

Guimaraes, Isak and Gordon may leave Newcastle at some point, but they are more likely to stay for longer if the club and team do not go backwards.

Matthew provides commentary on every Newcastle United match on BBC Radio Newcastle alongside former Magpies defender John Anderson.

Come back to this page throughout Wednesday for more of his answers

Turkish Super Lig clubs Istanbul Basaksehir, Fenerbahce, Besiktas and Eyupspor have given up trying to sign Kieran Trippier after Newcastle made it clear they want to keep the 33-year-old defender. (Sky Sports), external

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe and sporting director Paul Mitchell have resolved their differences and are now focusing on January transfer targets, including Crystal Palace and England defender Marc Guehi, 24. (Telegraph - subscription required, external), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Elliot Anderson has earned Nottingham Forest's player of the month award and the announcement has prompted plenty of Newcastle fans to discuss his summer sale.

BBC Radio Newcastle's post on X, external drew replies on both sides of the debate.

John Doyle: Of course they regret selling him but the ludicrous rules forced their hand.

Liam C: He would have hardly ever played for us. We were forced to sell players and sold Anderson for a reason.

Alan: Happy for the lad. Realistically, he was never going to be in the starting XI unless there's another injury crisis. And we wouldn't know how good he is. So there's no regrets there.

Wallace Wilson: Regret selling Minteh more. We had players who could play in Anderson's role but only Minteh could play wide right. As a result the team isn't balanced.

Ian Cole: Hated that deal the moment I heard about it on holiday. A ridiculous sale. Particularly as they only received £15m net. He's going to be in the England team in the next 12 months, particularly if Carsley gets the job.

Dan Robson: Good young player. Is he better than Joelinton, Bruno, Tonali, Willock, Longstaff or Miley? Currently, no. The move will be the best thing for his development as wouldn't play minutes at NUFC.

Rich Harle: He was a sale forced by poor prior decisions and accounting. Saying that, he may not have gotten the opportunities over the next couple of seasons he'll get at Forest, and I'm sure there'll be a buy-back clause in there.

Charlotte Robson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

From a fixtures point of view, the start to the season has been decent for Newcastle United. Unbeaten in the league and through in the cup, and no injuries yet.

The start of the season has, however, also brought with it the end of a transfer window which, from a fan point of view, has been very disappointing.

This view seems to be held within the club, too, as last week fans of Newcastle United were treated to an interview with our new sporting director, Paul Mitchell, who sat down with the press for 90 minutes to give his take on what’s been going on behind the scenes this summer.

It was an interesting interview not least because Mitchell did it in the first place.

There had been critical noise on social media and beyond on our transfer strategy this summer after our window consisted of one very public and failed attempt to secure Marc Guehi from Crystal Palace.

We also got Lloyd Kelly on a free, converted Lewis Hall from a loan to a permanent player and signed some more goalkeepers.

That he chose to meet the media and give the club's side of things is an unusual move - though I commend the efforts at transparency. It is a far cry from how the club was run before!

The fact that the interview went into a little detail about how Mitchell has come in and facilitated an existing strategy rather than implementing something new, as he joined the club mid-window, was also of note.

He made a commitment to not paying over the odds for players, and insinuated it would be his way in the future.

It does feel like a summer of change for Newcastle, just not on the squad side.

I’m very interested to see how this develops and impacts our club in the longer term.

Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external

The Premier League's summer transfer window saw clubs spend almost £2bn in all.

Data from Footballtransfers.com, external shows the biggest net spend by a club - that’s all the money spent minus all that came in from sales - was Brighton.

The Seagulls had a net spend of £153.5m.

On the flip side, the club who generated the biggest net summer profit on transfers was Manchester City, who made £115.8m, thanks in large part to the sale of Julian Alvarez.

Newcastle made a net profit of £6.2m. Only six clubs generated a profit on transfers.

Newcastle United are still interested in signing 29-year-old France midfielder Adrien Rabiot, who is a free agent after leaving Juventus in the summer. (Caught Offside), external

Former Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth, who is now at Manchester United, has been hurt by criticism from Paul Mitchell, his successor at St James' Park, who has said the club's transfer structure was "not fit for purpose". (Telegraph), external

Want more transfer news? Read Monday's full gossip column

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is considering a move for Manchester United , externaland Brazil winger Antony, 24, if a deal for Nottingham Forest forward Anthony Elanga does not materialise. (Caught Offside), external

Meanwhile, the Magpies will try to sign Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi in a cut-price deal in January when he will have 18 months left on his contract, but the Eagles will hold out to get their valuation of the 24-year-old England international. (Football Insider)

Want more transfer stories? Read Sunday's full gossip column

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle United left-back Jamal Lewis says his loan move to Sao Paulo was a "no-brainer" and hopes it "will pay dividends" to his career.

The 26-year-old, who has been struggling for minutes with the Magpies and spent last season on loan at Watford, is the first British player to join the famous Brazilian side and will be with them until the end of their season in December.

"Some people probably thought it was quite random and out of the blue - and I can’t argue with that," said Lewis.

"But if Sao Paulo were interested in my profile as a player and I’m interested in representing such a big club, it could be the start of a great journey.

"I've always been one to test myself. I've never wanted to stay and then look back on my career and think: 'What if I did this?' So I think this will pay dividends.

"How I play is what they wanted, in terms of getting forward and getting balls into the box. A lot of clubs use data these days; there's not a lot of guesswork in football so hopefully I can show on the pitch what they have researched."

Newcastle United could revisit a deal for Nottingham Forest's Sweden forward Anthony Elanga, 22, in January. (Football Insider), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Saturday's full gossip column

We are opening the floor for you to put your Magpies questions to BBC Radio Newcastle's Matthew Raisbeck.

From the season's ambitions in 2024-25 to the help Eddie Howe needs in the January transfer market, we'll send a selection to Matthew for his thoughts.

Come back on Wednesday next week to see his answers.

Submit your questions here, external

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe had an unusually lengthy news conference last week, grumbling about the Profit and Sustainability Rules that are scuppering his club's attempts to become a force in the world game.

Like his opposite number Ange Postecoglou, he isn’t the naturally embittered moaning manager type, so both knuckled down to what became an interesting 90 minutes. Players usually decide matches but just sometimes the coaches have the decisive effect.

Newcastle led through a fine Harvey Barnes finish at the break; Ange didn't wait for the ubiquitous hour mark to wield his influence. Midfielder Pape Sarr was sacrificed, attacker Brennan Johnson was introduced and the system tweaked so James Maddison was free to find deeper space.

The net result was utter domination of the play, a goal made by substitute Johnson 10 minutes later and the game turned on its head. There was only one likely winner at that point, and it wasn't Newcastle.

Howe gave it five minutes and was then just as radical and influential with his changes. First, Jacob Murphy and then returning Italian star Sandro Tonali came on to regain a midfield foothold. Murphy himself then set up Alexander Isak for the winner.

I could spend pages on the intricacies of the tactical changes, but the headlines above are enough to underline that these are two gifted and adaptable technical coaches.

Is either likely to grab fourth place? Well, both teams are flawed to some degree, but then so are all the others vying for that position.

Pat Nevin was writing for the BBC Football Extra Newsletter