Alexander Isak & another Newcastle United player ruled out v Aston Villa
Newcastle United team news ahead of the Premier League opener against Aston Villa.
New signing Malick Thiaw will be part of Newcastle United’s squad for their Premier League opener away to Aston Villa.
Thiaw was announced as the Magpies’ fourth summer signing on Tuesday night after joining from Serie A giants AC Milan in a deal worth £35million.
The German defender has trained with his new teammates this week and is likely to be on the bench at Villa Park on Saturday (kick-off 12:30pm), with Fabian Schar and Dan Burn set to continue their centre-back partnership.
Malick Thiaw will be available for Newcastle United at Aston Villa
“Yes, Malik will [be available],” Howe confirmed. “He's trained for two days. It’s never easy coming in right at the end of pre-season for him because, of course, a lot of our work's already done and our structures are in place. But in the little bits that we've seen, I think we've signed a top-quality player.”
Newcastle are also in the process of finalising a £39million deal for Aston Villa midfielder Jacob Ramsey after he arrived on Tyneside on Thursday night to begin his medical.
However, Ramsey won’t be eligible to make an immediate appearance against his former with the deal unlikely to be finalised before the Premier League’s 12pm registration deadline.
Newcastle United without Alexander Isak and Joe Willock
Howe has confirmed a full bill of health, with the exception of Joe Willock, who is recovering from the Achilles injury he sustained during the pre-season tour of South Korea. Alexander Isak remains unavailable as he refuses to play in an attempt to force a move to Liverpool.
“As I sit here now, yeah, I think everyone's available apart from Joe and Joe's not too far away himself, so we've got a relatively good-looking squad in terms of injury news,” Howe said. “I think that's been really good because we've worked the players hard.
“They've been challenged through pre-season, but the majority have come through and had some good minutes as well on the pitch, which you need during pre-season. You need that sharpness to be ready to play.”
Eddie Howe comments on Alexander Isak situation
Speaking about Isak, Howe said: “No, there's been no change to the situation. All my focus has been on the training, on Aston Villa, on the transfer front in terms of trying to get players in. And you can imagine that that is all-consuming for me.
“So Alex's situation has been unchanged for a while and that will continue to be the case, I think.”
Has Howe asked Isak to play against Villa? “I've said many times during this summer I want him to play, I want him to train and of course I've had those conversations with him, but I think the details of those conversations need to remain private,” Howe replied.
Howe added: “He's not here with us, so we have to focus on who is here and get the best out of every single player in the squad that's fit and available. That's always been the way. I think the players will be aware that he's not here, but I don't think the focus will be on that.
“The focus will be on making sure that they play to the best of their ability, each and every player. That's all we can do.”