NEWCASTLE EMBRACING TOP-FOUR CHALLENGE WITHOUT ANY FEAR, SAYS MANAGER HOWE

According to manager Eddie Howe, Newcastle United is up for the challenge of making the Champions League and will play fearlessly in its remaining four matches to secure a top-four finish.

Newcastle is now in third place and hasn’t made the Champions League in 20 years. They are two points ahead of Manchester United and three points ahead of Liverpool, which has played one more game.

Howe said that Newcastle had no cause to fear any of the clubs, including relegation-threatened Leeds United, Leicester City, Brighton and Hove Albion, and Chelsea, when asked which team had the toughest remaining schedule.

“Looking at a set of fixtures and predicting what will happen is quite tough on paper. In my opinion, all Premier League games are challenging when put on paper, Howe told reporters before of Saturday’s trip to Elland Road.

“All we have to do is attempt to do our part and produce greater results. Regardless of the role we play, we are capable of accomplishing it. We will be in charge of it and have control over it, not the opposing teams. The most persuasive way to approach it is that manner.

“On paper, every game has value because both sides are competing for something… Since we have no need to be afraid of any team, we will endeavor to accept this challenge and fight it.

However, Matt Ritchie will miss the remainder of the season with a knee injury, while Newcastle will be without Sean Longstaff due to suspicions that he may have torn ligaments in his foot.

Longstaff made an appointment with a specialist. There were some worries that his foot might have structural damage, according to Howe.

It’s a little unclear when he’ll return, but it won’t be a problem for very long. The question is whether we can bring him back before the season is over.

“We’ve missed those qualities that he has because he’s a high-level player and has a really good football brain,” the coach said.