Here are your Newcastle United evening headlines on Thursday, December 2.
Dyche provides injury update
Sean Dyche has revealed that James Tarkowski and Ashley Westwood will return to the Burnley squad for the trip to Newcastle this weekend.
The Clarets will be looking to stretch their unbeaten run in the Premier League to six matches following an impressive recent up-turn in form.
However, Dyche's side still sit in the bottom three alongside the Magpies after picking up just nine points from their opening 13 matches.
But Burnley will be boosted the return of Tarkowski and Westwood, who have been vital to their success in recent years.
He said in his post-Wolverhampton Wanderers press conference: "Barnesy is going to be weeks, not days, hopefully not too many weeks, but it's a longer-term situation.
"Dale Stephens we're monitoring through the Covid protocols, of course, so he'll come back in according to them, and Bardo has a niggly one - shouldn't be too drastic but probably won't get in the squad for the weekend.
"And then the two lads coming back in Westy and Tarky."
Agbonlahor stands by Newcastle admission
Gabby Agbonlahor has doubled down on his controversial transfer claims surrounding Newcastle United.
The former Aston Villa striker made headlines earlier this week by suggesting the Magpies will struggle to attract signings despite their newfound wealth as a result of their location in the North East.
It was a view that was quickly criticised by fans, pundits and former United stars on social media, with Agbonlahor citing the cold weather and suggesting players would not want to move too far north.
The talkSPORT pundit claimed current transfer targets would choose Brentford ahead of the Magpies - even if less money was on offer - due to the Bees' location in London.
But speaking on Wednesday, Agbonlahor insists he stands by his views and says up to 15 former footballers have been in contact privately to agree with him.
He told talkSPORT: "I stand by exactly what I said. If I was 25 again and offered the choice I’d choose Brentford over Newcastle now.
"I’d rather be closer to London, for me to move all the way up there you’re going to have to pay a lot more money.
"They’re going to have that problem in the January transfer window – attracting players with their league position and attracting players to go to Newcastle, they’ll have to pay them more, let’s be honest.
"Even Brentford, Watford, teams that are around Newcastle at the moment, players aren’t going to go to Watford for the same money as Newcastle – they’re going to choose Watford over Newcastle."
Lineker makes Newcastle claim
Gary Lineker believes Newcastle United are "up against it" after their dismal start to the Premier League campaign.
The Magpies have failed to win any of their opening 14 matches, picking up just seven points in the process.
A poor transfer window combined with uncertainty over the ownership in the summer, has left Newcastle lagging way behind their rivals and the new owners and Eddie Howe face a battle against the tide to ensure top-flight survival.
The 10-men of Newcastle displayed their newfound resilience against Norwich City on Tuesday.
They kept the visitors at bay for around 80 minutes at St. James' Park but were unable to stop Temmu Pukki's thunderous volley which saw both struggling sides share the spoils.
Speaking on BBC's Match of The Day, Lineker said: "Still no wins for Newcastle. They're the fourth team in Premier League history not to get a win in their first 14 games. The other three were all relegated and they're up against it.
Despite being a man down, Newcastle did well to hold Norwich at bay and limited the visitors to very little in front of goal.
When VAR awarded the Magpies a penalty and Callum Wilson dispatched the spot kick, it looked as though the hosts would finally shake their early season malaise.
Danny Murphy said: "They did really well. I was surprised - I mean Norwich were poor.
"It was hard luck for Newcastle because for the majority of the game with ten men, they defended well. Norwich didn't create too much and as Eddie Howe said, 'Great resilience.'
"There was a good defensive spirit there, everything that he needs moving forward - because they've got some tough fixtures coming up - was there. They've got half a chance."
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