Your Newcastle United headlines for Sunday, January 8.
Howe on team selection
Eddie Howe stated clearly after the 2-1 loss to Sheffield Wednesday that it wasn't possible to name his strongest XI for the third time in seven days. Newcastle faced Arsenal last Tuesday, the Owls on Saturday night and square up to Leicester again this Tuesday on the back of a heavy festive programme.
"We're aware that we don't have the deepest squad, particularly in the Premier League," Howe said. "We are light on numbers and high quality injuries will dictate how stretched you feel.
READ MORE: Newcastle undone after stadium spy mission and Sheffield Wednesday boss reveals what Howe said
"We gave an opportunity to a lot of players who hadn't played this season. I thought there were some positives and negatives within their performances. I think it is better that I analyse that in the cold light of day rather than with emotion."
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ASM update
Allan Saint-Maximin will be "back soon" after the winger missed the loss against Sheffield Wednesday. Howe said after the defeat at Hillsborough: "It was a huge disappointment that he did miss out. We felt this a bit of an ideal game for him to build his fitness match time after his hamstring injury.
"Sometimes these things are just meant to be it happened and yeah, hopefully, (he will) be back soon."
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Isak admission
Alexander Isak admits that his lack of sharpness after being sidelined since September played a part in his two big FA Cup chances against the Owls.
When asked about building back up to full fitness and getting sharp again, Isak told ChronicleLive: "I think the sharpness will help. These are chances I'd usually score (at Sheff Wed).
"That is football, today the ball wouldn't go in. And hopefully I will get more chances on Tuesday against Leicester."
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Shearer on defeat
Alan Shearer admits Wednesday 'deserved' their victory as the Magpies suffered a shock FA Cup defeat. He told BBC Sport: "I will say they deserved to go through. I thought they were superb. I didn't think they played particularly well in the first half, but they were much better in the second.
"They created chances, Josh Windass scored two very clever goals and could have had a hat-trick when he hit the bar from a free-kick. Newcastle weren't good enough in the final third, missed far too many chances."
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