Newcastle United

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Eddie Howe says he wants to do Newcastle United "proud" as the head coach prepares to take on arch-rivals Sunderland in the Premier League for the first time.

It has been nearly a decade since these sides met in the top flight, but that wait will come to an end on Sunday when the Magpies make the relatively short trip to the Stadium of Light.

Howe previously led Newcastle to a 3-0 victory when the teams last played each other in different divisions in the FA Cup a couple of seasons ago.

And he needs no reminding of the importance of the Wear-Tyne derby.

"It means everything to me personally," he said. "I want to do the club, the city, our people proud.

"I want them to be proud of the team. I want to be proud of the players so that's my challenge over the next few days."

Howe made the "importance" of the game clear to his players in the immediate aftermath of Wednesday's 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.

Although there are a number of survivors from the previous meeting, including Dan Burn, Bruno Guimaraes, and Anthony Gordon, this will be a first taste of the derby for others such as defender Malick Thiaw and record signing Nick Woltemade.

"There will be some new players that maybe don't understand it as well as others," Howe added.

"So we will use whatever methods we can in the next few days to make sure that everyone enters the pitch fully aware of the importance."

Former Newcastle defender John Anderson took callers on BBC Radio Newcastle in the aftermath of the 2-2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen.

Some fans focused on how the Magpies approached the game in terms of team selection, while others considered how they tried to defend the lead.

Giving up the lead was an issue for forward Anthony Gordon too, as he said: "We're not doing it well enough. Again it comes back to mentality. We need to be stronger, we need to be better.

"Ultimately, it's consistency. We need to be a consistent team in every phase of the game."

Newcastle have dropped more points from winning positions - 11 - than any other team in the Premier League this season.

So why do the Magpies give leads away? Get in touch with your views here

We asked for your views on Newcastle's 2-2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen in Wednesday's league stage of the Uefa Champions League.

Here are some of your comments:

Tom: Newcastle United very unlucky not to have won that game. Two really good efforts that hit the post which would have gone in on another day and an unfortunate own goal. Really pleased for young Miley who should now get an extended run in the side. Unfortunately I think we've seen the best of Joelinton and he's picking up too many injuries now.

Sean: While I'd have been happy with a draw before the game, it's difficult to be content after the position we'd got into. But same issues again. There's clearly a mentality issue with this squad conceding so late once again. Not quite sure what the solution is.

David: So very disappointing. But could have been worse.

Jim: I thought Newcastle were lucky to be 2-1 up at any point in the game. Poor performance again. Going to 2-2 did not surprise me. We are not solid at the back and we need to be again. Still we are playing in the Champions League. We have come a long way in a short time. We need to remember this.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Newcastle defender Jonathan Woodgate says Lewis Miley has had to remain "patient" for opportunities this season but when he has been afforded them "he has done really well".

Miley came off the bench to put the Magpies 2-1 up in Wednesday's 2-2 draw against Bayer Leverkusen and register his third goal involvement in four appearances after scoring and assisting in the 4-1 win over Everton in late November.

"It is so special, without question," Woodgate told BBC Radio 5 Live's Football Daily podcast. "Academy products scoring goals for Newcastle always is.

"He will have absolutely adored that goal. I'm sure he'll watch it back so many times."

Miley, 19, has featured in 11 of Newcastle's 15 Premier League games so far this season, but has only started four times. His other two starts have come in the Champions League and Carabao Cup respectively.

"When he's come in this season and played a few games - and he has had limited opportunities - he has done really well," Woodgate added.

"When you look at the three Newcastle have in midfield of Joelinton, Bruno [Guimaraes] and [Sandro] Tonali - to try and come in and break that three up is really difficult.

"So he's stayed patient, and when he's had his opportunity he's taken it.

"He did that again against Leverkusen, he did really well, and I'm so pleased for him."

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Former Premier League midfielder Leon Osman says Newcastle getting the ball to Anthony Gordon in the wide areas instead of trying to "penetrate the tight areas" was the key to scoring their goals against Bayer Leverkusen.

Watch on BBC iPlayer

Ciaran Kelly
Newcastle United reporter

Image source, Getty Images

This could have been a night where Newcastle took a huge step towards qualifying for the last 16.

Indeed, at one point, Newcastle had moved above Inter Milan, Real Madrid, Liverpool and Atletico Madrid into sixth place in the live standings after coming from behind to lead in Germany.

But this was an occasion where some familiar issues reared their head.

Firstly, Newcastle were easily undone from another corner kick for Leverkusen's opener.

Robert Andrich easily wriggled away from Sandro Tonali to get his head on Aleix Garcia's delivery and the ball hit the back of Bruno Guimaraes and bounced into the net.

It came just a week after Spurs captain Cristian Romero had all the time he needed to score an overhead kick from a similar situation and four days after Newcastle conceded a penalty against Burnley after midfielder Jacob Ramsey handled the ball from a corner.

But Newcastle showed immense spirit to recover in the second half, typified by the livewire Gordon, who looks back to his best.

In fact, the England forward has already matched the legendary Alan Shearer's club record for the most goals and assists (seven) in a single Champions League campaign after also setting up Miley's second.

But, once again, a late concession proved costly - just as it did against Spurs and, nearly did, following a nervy finish against 10-man Burnley.

If Newcastle are to emerge from Sunday's Wear-Tyne derby against Sunderland unscathed, they not only have to swiftly lift themselves following this latest sucker punch.

They have to quickly eradicate these troublesome trends from their game.

Image source, Getty Images

Eddie Howe spoke to TNT Sports after Newcastle's draw against Bayer Leverkusen: "It was a tough game. I thought we played well but it was tough for us."

Is it a mentality issue like Anthony Gordon suggested? "I don't know. Goals happen in games and we have'nt defended well enough today. It was too easy for them to go through the middle of our defence [for the second goal].

"I wasn't happy at half-time, not so much with the performance but there was a real lack of belief that we could score. You have to make things happen and really believe internally. Off the ball, we were getting close to them but not in that final yard.

"The draw leaves us in a good position [to qualify in the top eight]. It leaves it in our hands but we have two tough games to come. All we can do is focus back onto the Premier League where we are in a decent vein of form."

Will Joelinton be OK for the weekend? "I'm not sure. He felt something in his groin so we took him off straight away."

Goalscorer Anthony Gordon also spoke to TNT: "I don't know [how the game slipped away] but it's happening too many times, to be honest.

"The first half an hour was really poor but we reacted well and we came out well in the second half. The manager gave us a kick up the backside and we reacted well.

"Defensively we need to be more tight because we are conceding too many goals late in games. I don't know if that is fatigue, but it all comes back to mentality. We have to hold out in these games because that is what top teams do."

On goalscorer Lewis Miley: "He is a fantastic player and does well every time he comes on or when he starts. He has took a big leap this year with his physical and mental development. I am really happy for him."

Listen to more from Howe on BBC sounds

Whether you were at the game or following from elsewhere, we want to know what you learned.

Get in touch with your views here

Come back to this page on Thursday to find a selection of your replies

Bayer Leverkusen manager Kasper Hjulmand misses the game due to "personal reasons".

The club have confirmed that assistant Rogier Meijer will take charge, as a result, but Hjulmand is expected back on the sidelines at the weekend for the derby game against FC Koln.

Talisman Alejandro Grimaldo is fit to start tonight after recovering from a knock while Arthur and former Liverpool defender Jarell Quansah also return to the first XI.

Leverkusen starting line-up: Flekken, Andrich, Quansah, Tapsoba, Arthur, Maza, Garcia, Grimaldo, Tillman, Poku, Schick

Subs: Blaswich, Lomb, Bade, Echeverri, Tape, Ben Seghir, Tella, Kofane, Belocian

Eddie Howe has named a strong side as Newcastle United make four changes for their Champions League game against Bayer Leverkusen.

Lewis Hall, Sandro Tonali, Joelinton and Harvey Barnes all come into the starting XI at the BayArena following the weekend win against Burnley.

Newcastle starting line-up: Ramsdale, Livramento, Thiaw, Burn, Hall, Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton, Barnes, Woltemade, Gordon

Subs: Thompson, Harrison, Schar, Wissa, Elanga, J.Murphy, Willock, A.Murphy, Ramsey, Miley

There are nine games in the Champions League on Wednesday and BBC Sport will bring you every moment.

• Qarabag v Ajax (17:45)

• Villarreal v Copenhagen (17:45)

• Athletic Club v Paris St-Germain

• Bayer Leverkusen v Newcastle

• Benfica v Napoli

• Borussia Dortmund v Bodo/Glimt

• Club Brugge v Arsenal

• Juventus v Pafos

• Real Madrid v Man City - listen on BBC Radio 5 Live

Kick-off times 20:00 GMT unless stated

Follow all of the action and reaction here

You can also listen to 5 Live commentaries on most smart speakers. Just say "ask BBC Sounds to play Real Madrid v Man City".

Find out more about how to listen to football on BBC Sounds

Watch highlights of every Champions League game from 22:00 on Wednesday on BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website and app.

There will also be a Champions League Match of the Day on BBC One on Wednesday, from 22:40 to 00:00.

Henry Cowling
BBC Sport journalist

Two sides pushing for the top eight meet in Leverkusen on Wednesday. Just one point separates them in the table going into the match, with Bayer Leverkusen on eight points and Newcastle on nine.

It is the first meeting between the two teams since the 2002-03 Champions League group stage, when the Magpies won both games 3-1.

Eddie Howe's side will be looking to bounce back in the competition after surrendering an early lead to lose 2-1 away to Marseille on matchday five, while Leverkusen could win three successive Champions League games for the first time since 2014-15.

Did you know?

• Leverkusen have won two of their past three Champions League games against English opposition (L1), including on matchday five at Manchester City (2-0).

• They have won seven of their 10 matches since losing 7-2 at home to holders Paris St-Germain in October, but come into this match after a disappointing 2-0 defeat by Augsburg in the Bundesliga at the weekend.

• Leverkusen finished sixth, with 16 points, in the league phase last season under Xabi Alonso. However, they were then beaten 5-0 on aggregate by Bayern Munich in the last 16.

Image source, Getty Images

Key Leverkusen players - Patrik Schick and Alejandro Grimaldo

Centre forward Schick appears to be hitting his stride again after missing four games in October with a hamstring injury. Since his return, he has scored four goals in nine appearances - including a goal in their past two Champions League games against Benfica and Manchester City.

The Czech Republic international showcased his aerial prowess with his goal at the Etihad, beating Nathan Ake to steer a header past James Trafford. Perhaps his most notable career goal was a Puskas-nominated strike from near the halfway line against Scotland at the Euros in 2021.

Left wing-back Grimaldo is a creative focal point in the 3-4-2-1 system, chipping in with eight goals and five assists so far this season. The Spaniard provides a serious threat from set-pieces. He has scored five goals directly from free-kicks since the start of 2023-24 - more than any other player in the top five European leagues.

Bayer Leverkusen squad summary

Grimaldo, ever-present in the Champions League, missed the loss at Augsburg at the weekend due to a knock and faces a late fitness test before this one. Ernest Poku, 21, started in his place at the weekend.

Karan Vinod
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle United forward Nick Woltemade says he didn't pay attention to the comments from Bayern Munich supervisory board member Karl-Heinz Rummenigge after his £69m move in the summer.

The 23-year-old's move from Stuttgart was thrust back into the spotlight after Rummenigge publicly mocked the fee, claiming Stuttgart had "found an idiot who will pay that much money" and insisting Bayern "would have certainly not done that".

Rather than biting back at Rummenigge or engaging in a public tug-of-war over his price tag, Woltemade cut a calm, measured figure during the press conference before Newcastle played Bayer Leverkusen in the Champions League.

"To be honest, I don't care," Woltemade said. "I don't read it. A lot of people speak about me, and if I listen to everything, then I can't focus on myself. I don't read, I just take care of myself, I focus on myself, and at the end, I am not deciding what someone is paying for me. But I am really happy Newcastle has paid this for me because I am really happy in Newcastle."

Reflecting on his early months on Tyneside, Woltemade highlighted the work Eddie Howe has done with him and the confidence he feels. He made clear that the belief within the squad has helped him settle quickly into English football.

Woltemade added: "The gaffer worked with me a lot, and in the league you don't get so many chances as a striker, but I have the feeling I always know I can score a goal. This is what Newcastle has given me a lot, even if I haven't touched the ball for a few minutes, because my team-mates are so good."

The German forward also spoke about adjusting to life in Newcastle, admitting the packed schedule has limited his ability to explore the city, but emphasising how comfortable he already feels in his new surroundings.

"It is cold right now, but it is the same as Germany," he said. "Of course, we have a lot of games, so I can't see so much of the city, but I like where I live, and I feel at home.

"The most important is the club, and this club is really nice, and I am excited for every home game we play. I've been here for three months, and I have proved already a lot. As a person, a new step in a new country, it has been really good for me."

Hear more from Woltemade on BBC Sounds

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Karan Vinod
BBC Sport journalist

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Wednesday's Champions League game against Bayer Leverkusen at BayArena (kick-off 20:00 GMT).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• On team news, Howe says there are no injuries from the win over Burnley, adding: "Lewis [Hall] was ill before Saturday's game, so we didn't want to push him when he was fatigued, but came through the 30 minutes he played well. So hopefully both [Hall and Tino Livramento] will be fine."

• Howe said that they "will be ready" despite the short turnaround, stressing that the squad is "excited" to play in a "great stadium" and is "looking forward to the challenge".

• On Yoane Wissa: "He looks positive, his body language has been very good. He is ready to take on the minutes. Our challenge now is we have limited training time for Wissa. We have to get the balancing act right, but he showed his qualities in that 20 minutes, and he will only get better."

• Howe revealed that he "will pick a team that is strong tomorrow and strong on Sunday as well", when they face Sunderland in the derby. He admitted he has "a few injuries to the backline and it is an area of concern".

• More on the concern for the defenders: "We don't have the depth in those positions that we would necessarily at this time of the season."

• Howe stated that he has been "relatively pleased" with their Champions League campaign and that "two defeats have had similar patterns in-game", though he hopes to "avoid that empty feeling" after a loss.

• On Nick Woltemade: "He has done brilliantly. I have just had the pleasure of half an hour with him on the way here and he is a great person and a great character. On the pitch, he has done really well, he has fitted in superbly and really bought into the team ethos. We need to try and create more for him as a team, but the chances he has got he has invariably done well with them."

• Howe also attributed Woltemade's popularity to his personality, highlighting the forward's "British humour" and praising the way he is "approaching" the transfer to Newcastle in "a very good way".

• On Malick Thiaw: "Malick has done incredibly well. For a defender, you almost want to go unnoticed because you're doing your job. He has been cool, calm and collected, very good with the ball, but most importantly very good defensively. Long may that continue."

Hear more from Howe on BBC Sounds

Follow all of Tuesday's news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

Charlotte Robson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Another win for Newcastle United as we briefly hit the heady heights of 10th place in the Premier League. The question after this weekend's performance is, basically, does it matter how we win, as long as we win? Well, sort of, but also no.

We had to win against Burnley and we did - that is the main thing. This is a huge week for Newcastle, playing away in the Champions League and then at Sunderland next weekend. We needed to go into the next seven days with momentum, which is something that has eluded us this season.

Enter Yoane Wissa. Maybe here to save the day? We can at least be encouraged that a mere 96 days after signing for Newcastle United, Wissa finally made an appearance. He was met by a standing ovation at St James' Park as he came on for the final 20 minutes against Burnley on Saturday and it was so nice to be able to welcome him to the team properly. Plus, the excitement that we now have striking options was palpable.

That is not intended to disparage Nick Woltemade, our offbeat signing from the summer, who has been a season-so-far saver. He has scored and contributed to seven goals across all competitions. But Woltemade is a more dynamic and complex player than an out-and-out centre forward, comfortable dropping deep and bothering the midfield. Sometimes you just need a target man.

For the short time we saw him, Wissa looked like a classic striker. He received the ball in the opposition box twice and offered a glimpse of what he could do once settled and established in on-field partnerships.

If he could do that in time for Sunday's derby, that would be ideal. No pressure.

Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external

Image source, Getty Images

Former Newcastle United defender John Anderson says having Yoane Wissa back following a posterior cruciate ligament injury is a "big bonus" after the striker made his club debut in Newcastle's 2-1 win against the Burnley.

"Wissa's movement was good," Anderson told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"It's the first time we've seen him. When he's gone in behind, he seemed to get caught in two minds a little bit. But that's just rustiness. He hasn't played any football. The fact that he got 15-16 minutes will benefit him.

"He may well get game time again on Wednesday night. I don't think he'll start but I wouldn't be very surprised if he did start, but he most definitely will get game time along the way.

"It's good to have him back because it gives Eddie Howe different options, you know, because [William] Osula is out as well. So there's a lot of pressure on [Nick] Woltemade's shoulders, because there's nobody there to give him a breather.

"We've tried with Anthony Gordon up through the middle. Doesn't really work. So to have Wissa back is a big bonus for us."

Find BBC Radio Newcastle's audio here

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Newcastle target Alex Toth, 20, could cost as little as £15m, but the Hungary midfielder is contracted with Ferencvaros until 2027 so his club may have more control over his price. (Chronicle), external

Newcastle are also looking to Brazil in search of the next wave of young South American talent, with a view to venturing into the market next summer. (ESPN), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Tuesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

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The FA Cup third round will take place between Thursday, 8 January and Monday, 12 January.

Find out who your Premier League club will play below.

• Wolves v Shrewsbury Town

• Tottenham v Aston Villa

• Wrexham v Nottingham Forest

• Charlton Athletic v Chelsea

• Manchester City v Exeter City

• West Ham v Queens Park Rangers

• Sheffield Wednesday v Brentford

• Fulham v Middlesbrough

• Everton v Sunderland

• Liverpool v Barnsley

• Burnley v Millwall

• Portsmouth v Arsenal

• Derby County v Leeds United

• Newcastle v Bournemouth

• Macclesfield v Crystal Palace

• Manchester United v Brighton

See full draw here

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The draw for the third round of the FA Cup will take place on Monday, 8 December at around 18:40 GMT, before the broadcast of Brackley Town v Burton Albion - the final game of the Second Round.

Former England internationals Joe Cole and Peter Crouch will conduct the draw that will consist of 64 teams on TNT Sports.

The 20 winners of the second-round ties will be joined by all 20 Premier League clubs and 24 Championship teams in the third round.

All matches will be played around the weekend commencing Saturday, 10 January 2026.

Unlike in previous years, there are no replays if matches end as a draw. All ties will go to extra-time and if necessary, a penalty shootout.