September 19, 2024
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe, has expressed his readiness to deploy & rotate the non-injured member of his squad ahead of his side’s Carabao Cup clash against Manchester United on Wednesday.
Although Howe admitted his squad’s depletion due to the number of long-term injuries affecting some of his vital players, he’s also confident the available players will be utilized effectively in their current hectic schedule that’ll see them play Arsenal on Saturday and Dortmund on Tuesday, after tomorrow’s game at Old Trafford.
Speaking to NUFC media ahead of tomorrow’s game, the 45-year-old said: “It’s a busy period for us. A lot of games. We look forward to Manchester United next. We’re going to have to utilize our squad, we have another game against Arsenal a couple of days later and then we go to Dortmund.
“To not use our squad would be foolish but that doesn’t mean that we don’t trust and back our squad to be able to go to Old Trafford and try to win the game.
“You can have a game where you lose one or two players and suddenly the outlook on the squad and dynamic of the squad changes but you just have to roll with the punches. You have to absorb the hits and have to find a way, which is what we’ll try to do.
“It’s not ideal for us, especially with the season we have. It’s a totally different feel to last season where we could maybe absorb those hits a bit easier with the week-to-week games. We’re not in that position now so we’re going to need everybody in the squad to step up which I think is the key message. Everyone has to give a bit more.
“Every player in the squad is so important and has a huge role to play.”
“Manchester United are a top team with top players. They’ll, no doubt, possibly rotate their squad, their team, but that is slightly unclear until we get the team sheet.
“I think one of the key tests of any team is how you respond to setbacks. We had one against Borussia Dortmund and I thought it was a good response from the group at the weekend in a really good game against Wolves so I think that’s always what you’re looking to to do when you’re in the manager’s position.
“Our emotion is to try to prepare and win the game. One win and we’re into the quarter-final of the competition. We loved our run in it last year and we’re determined to try and do as well as we can despite the fact we do have a few injuries and the squad will be stretched to a degree. We’ll still try and be competitive.”
Eddie Howe and his boys will be eyeing an away victory against Erik Ten Hag-led Red Devils for the first time since 2013, in a bid to secure their qualification into the Carabao Cup’s quarter-finals.
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