Nick Woltemade talks planned as Newcastle United consider striker switch up
A Nick Woltemade own goal saw Newcastle United lose 1-0 to Tyne-Wear rivals Sunderland.
Eddie Howe is confident that Nick Woltemade will overcome his horror moment against Sunderland.
Newcastle United’s £69million club-record signing found the net in his first Tyne-Wear derby, though it happened to be at the wrong end when he somehow headed Nordi Mukiele’s cross past goalkeeping Aaron Ramsdale.
That proved to be the only goal of the game as Woltemade cut a distraught figure when standing to applaud the travelling Geordie at full-time.
“Yeah, Nick's going to have to deal with that moment,” Howe said. “That moment was a really unfortunate one for him. Obviously he's trying to do the right thing, he's trying to defend the cross that comes into the box. It's one of those things that happens on the pitch. I'm sure he'll recover fine.”
Eddie Howe to hold talks with Nick Woltemade
Woltemade has made a positive impact since joining from Stuttgart in the summer having scored seven goals in total, as well staying fit and available when fellow strikers Yoane Wissa and Will Osula haven’t’.
Asked if there was a concern that the German could be psychologically affected long-term, Howe said: “No, I don't think so. I think if he just puts it in isolation and it's a moment, he's trying to do the right thing.
“His intentions are good, he's trying to help us defend and set plays. He's done that really well since he's been here. He's trying to clear the ball from behind himself. It happens.
“Of course, there'd be little things that I'd say to him that could help him in that situation again, but Malick’s just behind him to head it clear if he doesn't. You've got a split second to make that call and that's why professional sport is so difficult.”
As of Tuesday morning, Howe hadn’t spoken to Woltemade about his own goal but revealed plans to check on his striker.
Howe said: “Not directly about the goal, but I'll sit down and have a good chat with him today and review his game and go through some things for the future. He's a player that we're very mindful of. We've got a great talent on our hands and we need to look after him and make sure that this doesn't derail him.
“I think he'll deal with it in his own way. We will support him in any way that we can. I think all players play at their best when they're confident and happy, so it's part of my job and my staff's to make sure that he puts it into context and moves forward and tries to score goals.”
Difficult Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa decision
The Magpies host Fulham in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup on Wednesday and Woltemade could be rested having started 20 of his last 21 games for club and country.
£55m signing Yoane Wissa could make his full debut for the club, though is unlikely to play 90 minutes as Newcastle manage his minutes following three months out with a knee injury.
Once Wissa is fully fit, Howe faces a difficult decision on whether to persist with Woltemade or play Wissa, or indeed fit a way of playing his £124m strike force together.