New Delhi: Newcastle’s arrival for their clash against Southampton could be delayed after the south coast was hit by Storm Eowyn. Eddie Howe’s side were supposed to fly to Hampshire on Friday afternoon but a number of flights to and from Newcastle airport due to dangerously high winds. Currently, the North East has been issued an amber weather alert as the wind speeds are expected to reach 145 kph.
Newcastle has confessed that the chances of the team’s chartered flight to Southampton are uncertain. Howe noted that while they still planned to leave for their game on Friday, they would take a call after consulting airport authorities or else the team would be travelling on Saturday morning.
Howe was confident that it wouldn’t be a big challenge for the team to conquer as they have previously travelled on matchday, particularly in venues that have airports nearby as it helps them fly in and out quickly. Despite the game being on an earlier schedule, Howe remarked that it won’t be an “issue”.
However, the 47-year-old manager ruled out the possibility of travelling by road as it is a “long journey” to undertake. On top of it Howe felt that with poor weather conditions, the travel time could increase by four hours.
Newcastle’s relief before Southampton game
Eddie Howe on Nick Pope and Callum Wilson:
“There is a chance Nick will be in the squad, he has started training with the group again, it’s great to see. With Callum we are looking at the beginning of February. He is making good progress. We are trying to do the right things by… pic.twitter.com/f2bAYZsjIm
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) January 24, 2025
The Magpies are hopeful that Nick Pope is back on the squad for their game against Southampton after being on the sidelines for a month while recovering from a knee injury. It is expected though that Martin Dubravka will be able to retain his spot in the starting XI with Pope on the bench. Newcastle come to the clash after being humbled with a 4-1 home defeat against Bournemouth.
Callum Wilson is still on the sidelines due to a hamstring injury though Howe is hopeful that the striker will be back in action early February. Howe has said that Wilson was making a good recovery and they are ensuring that he has complete fitness before the 32-year-old resumes training. Howe noted that Wilson is a big player for the side to have back at disposal.
The club is planning to move to a new training ground for which Howe is very excited, though he won’t be involved with the designing of a complex which is most likely to be built near the airport at Woolsington or Gosforth racecourse. Howe stated that he will be “at the background” of the plans and will be marvelling at the work of experts who undertake the designing part.
Miguel Almiron’s move to MLS club Atlanta is still unconfirmed which likely means that Newcastle will have a quiet Winter transfer window period. They are hopeful of being within the laws of the PSR regulations.
The regulations have been a bit of a headache in Howe’s transfer moves. In fact, Newcastle had almost signed Abdukhodir Khusanov but concerns about the PSR helped Manchester City instead to sign the 20-year-old for £34m.
Eddie Howe has confessed that Newcastle’s travel plans to play against Southampton is hit by poor weather after Storm Eowyn hits the south coast. Football Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
