Newcastle United have seemingly been handed a timely injury boost ahead of their return to Premier League football on Monday.

Matthias Jaissle was coy in his press conference when asked about who would return for the Coventry City away day, confirming only Joelinton and Nico Gonzalez’s availability. The head coach did say, however, that ‘three or four’ could be back in the squad, but stopped short of naming them.

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But, the club’s social media accounts went on step further than Jaissle, and showed both Amar Dedic and Will Osula back with the rest of the group.

It is not known the level to which they trained, or when they were actually back with the first-team squad this week, but it was boost to see them around, all the same.

Dedic missed the Premier League win over Hull City with a muscle issue, while Osula has not kicked a ball since limping out of the opening day draw with Liverpool with an foot problem.

Speaking about the injury situation earlier, Jaissle said: “We hope that three four players are are ready to be in the squad.

“Joe (Joelinton) you seen. Others are coming back definitely and this is helpful for sure but we need to be smart as well in the load management. They have the potential to be in the squad but for sure not in the starting 11.”

It’s back! Well, the press conference, not quite Premier League football, anyway. With Coventry just around the corner - on Monday night - here’s everything Matthias Jaissle said ahead of the encounter.

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NUFC injury update - three or four back

Return to Premier League action

Threat of Coventry 'momentum’ & Frank Lampard

Man City scandal - what does it mean to NUFC?

On NUFC not breaking Premier League rules

Joelinton position - and strengths

What to expect post-international break - improvement?

Nick Pope - what’s his situation?

Matias Fernandez-Pardo - position and strengths

NUFC formation flexibility

There’s a lot of people making a lot of noise about Newcastle United and rebrands right now - and while I see it, I’m just not feeling it.

I’m now asking myself, am I mellowing out in my old(er) age?

All I’ve seen is people up in arms across social media, ready to wage war against the club for simply updating a design feature or two, here or there - and I’m not even talking about the club crest.

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New crest - but new NUFC, too with ground changes

I was no fan of the crest change. I didn’t want it. Would actually rather have seen wholesale change, than a dumbing down of the incumbent badge. But in the end, maybe having accepted defiance was futile, I didn’t mind the final iteration.

When it comes to the ‘Newcastle United’ or Newcaslle, as it appears, I don’t mind the nod to the old, just wish had been aligned slightly better. Although, I do reckon it’s got a jaunty design reason for why.

And now, Newcastle have moved to fill the supporter void after new St James’ Park signage - another rebrand - popped up out nowhere this week.

Social media has been up in arms about it - well, the usual suspects, anyway. I have to be honest, though, I genuinely don’t understand what people are angry about.

NUFC statement on the SJP rebrand

In a statement, the club said:

Seems perfectly reasonable to me. Change in the name of progress - and I’m all for it. Still not sure about the crest, mind.

For some it’s been underwhelming. To others, it’s exceeded expectations. Newcastle United’s season is in its infancy, but that doesn’t stop us passing judgement - and that includes when it comes to the players.

After every game Inside NUFC rates the performance of each player who gets on the pitch, importantly, before the 80th minute. After 80, players get an N/A, but come on before it and you’ll get anything from a 1/10 to a 10/10 - both are, of course, the extreme rarities of the scale.

Newcastle have played seven games. Twenty two players have appeared for Matthias Jaissle in that time. Some have played all, some only a few. Only 16 qualify using our criteria. We take each player’s score from an individual game, add each game’s score up, then divide it by the number of games said player has played.

We then get a score - and that is said player’s NUFC POWER RANKING.

Who scored well and who didn’t? You’re about to find out.

NUFC POWER RANKINGS - Countdown to the top 10

N/A - Nick Woltemade, Fabian Schar & Tino Livramento (2 games), Ewan Jaouen, Aladji Bamba & Will Osula (1)

16th - Jacob Murphy - 5.25

15th - Matias Fernandez-Pardo - 5.37

14th - Baz Toure - 5.66

13th - Jacob Ramsey & Lewis Miley - 6.0

11th - Nico Gonzalez - 6.25

NUFC POWER RANKINGS - Who breaks the top 10?

10th - Malick Thiaw - 6.41

9th - Anthony Elanga - 6.7

8th - Sven Botman & Harvey Barnes - 6.71

6th - Sean Steur - 6.75

5th - Joe Willock - 6.78

4th - Lukas Hornicek - 6.83

NUFC POWER RANKINGS - The top THREE!

3rd - Yoane Wissa - 7.0

2nd - Amar Dedic - 7.16

1st - Lewis Hall - 7.57

Newcastle United have revealed the first image of their new crest with CEO David Hopkinson claiming the refined badge will become ‘iconic’ for future generations across the world.

The badge will be used immediately by the club, but, importantly, will only be placed on kits for the 2027/28 season. However, it may well be debuted on the final day of the current campaign.

More than two-thirds, around 64%, of the 27,348 fans who voted on the decision chose the above version.

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‘Culmination of more than two years of consultation’

A club statement confirming the reveal said: “Our new crest is the culmination of more than two years of comprehensive consultation, including supporter events, focus groups, workshops and surveys.

“We’ve consulted leading industry experts on the challenges presented by our existing crest and how we can evolve in line our world-class ambitions. And we’ve taken our research out to thousands of fans around the world to discuss and scrutinise it, and to listen to feedback.

“Now, after creating a shortlist of three new crest options and commissioning an independent poll completed by more than 27,000 supporters, our new crest has emerged as a clear winner with two-thirds selecting it as their first choice.

“The new crest will be used from today and will be put in place progressively across physical signage and digital and broadcast platforms over the coming months. It will be in place on our kits for the 2027/28 season, and we’ll bring supporters news very soon on exciting new retail options.”

Badge change divisive - but Hopkinson seal of approval

The process has divided the NUFC fanbase with many pushing against the move for change. Others are keen to embrace it, however, and it’s fair to say CEO Hopkinson is in that camp.

Speaking on the reveal, he said: “I have never worked anywhere that feels as proud and passionate about its crest than the way this club does, so this body of work is an enormous privilege and responsibility for all of us.

“The club has asked supporters questions that we did not know the answers to, and they told us plainly: protect what we have, keep the elements we love, and do not start again.

“Every decision after that has been made inside the margins our fans drew, and it is only right that our fans have had the final and decisive say on the outcome.

“Our crest came from the city’s own coat of arms, and it still does. It honours where we have come from, it represents who we are now, and it will become an iconic symbol for generations of supporters around the world who believe in it and unite behind it.”

Kenneth McIver, the club’s chief creative officer, said: “As a lifelong fan, our crest was the thing I covered my schoolbooks in. It’s the crest I watched my heroes playing in during the 80s and 90s, so helping to shape the future of our crest is an incredible honour.

“Our new crest has been crafted with the utmost respect for our heritage and identity, and with our vision and ambitions in mind. Every line has been drawn, redrawn, reviewed, and tested across so many formats, textures and platforms, and it delivers.

“Nothing has been changed simply because it could be. The message from fans has been consistently clear, and every element is geared towards producing a crest that will continue to connect and inspire people for many years to come.

27,348 eligible supporters completed the polling process, including men’s and women’s season ticket holders and Mags and Mags+ members. The winning version got 17,710 votes.

Sitting upright, perfectly so, rounded by more than 20 written, radio and broadcast press, Matthias Jaissle held court. And despite what some would have you believe, he looked at home.

Smart, sharp, with a good sense of humour, the Newcastle United head coach warmed to questions about his life, history and philosophy. Some of them went deep, some went to uncomfortable places. All were given careful consideration and meticulous coverage. His image and character seem perfectly aligned.

He doesn’t like the press. He doesn’t want to engage. Ask some better bloody questions! Many would have you believe Jaissle is keen to make enemies, not friends with scribes of the region, a theory built largely on his direct, often one-word responses in press conferences. But, at his request, the media many were invited in, to Benton, or The Knox as we must now say, to talk, relax, eat and drink in his company. Jaissle joked about unhealthy English breakfasts - although the bacon and sausage offerings supplied were particularly good. He’s never tried black pudding, by the way. He’s not seen much of the city yet, either, bar ‘just a few restaurants’. He offered insight into his football thinking, opened a window to his past, his journey, influences, his health struggles and what makes him the man and coach he is today.

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It was fascinating. Illuminating. And really very warm. The cold exterior has thawed somewhat from those early, frantic days in La Manga then Tyneside, where a need to maximise every second of work left no room for small talk.

That was then, this is now. Twenty allotted minutes, became 25. Five more, he asked. It seemed like Jaissle actually quite liked the talky bit. He drew boundaries, explained the theory behind some of his public statements. He had questions for the press. This was as much a fact-finding mission for him as it was the pack. He swerved no query, gave as many as he could a crack at his time. Then, to training. The bit that really matters. We saw some of it, the bits we’re allowed to. All managers are the same, protective over their craft. I suppose. you never know where spies hide.

Imprinting Jaissleball on NUFC - patience needed

We’re yet to properly see the fruits of Jaissle’s labour at Newcastle United. Having listened to him, I think that’s an understatement. Time was always against him. As much as Eddie Howe falling on his sword was admirable - he had lost the belief it required to guide good ship 2.0 - it came too late. That delay, it should have happened before the last home game of last season, meant Jaissle and his coaches were up against it. Newcastle appointed a coach to fit their DNA - that’s a proper thing now under Ross Wilson and David Hopkinson - but not all coaches are the same. Not all coaches sign off on the same type of players. A lot of the dancing was done before Jaissle’s influence could be felt. Next summer will have a slightly altered recruitment feel, you’d imagine. The same framework, yes, but maybe more star quality, a bit more MJ.

“The pre-season was so short, and then it was really packed with a lot of friendly matches back then that we couldn’t change. So it was tough. It’s really tough, tougher than expected, to get the stuff and the principles implemented into the player’s head. But considering all these things, we’re doing good,” he said of what he’s witnessed so far, even if he hints a hell of a lot more needs to come.

“I think there were elements in games where we saw a lot of the things we were looking for. There were also phases in games where we were not happy and satisfied. So there’s a lot of still a lot of potential that we can improve.

“But considering the circumstances, and we need to remind ourselves always, as well in the coaching stuff, because we have these high demands that we are not long here now, and we don’t have too much training time.”

Following the Leeds defeat, one Jaissle admits brought tough conversations and some challenging emotions, talk crept in of Red Bull - Salzburg, where Jaissle originated, and Leipzig - across social media and whether that school of thought can work in a Premier League setting. It was all very premature, but let’s humour it for the flow of this work. Leeds saw it, they survived it. Just a German Jesse Marsch was the cry. All very extreme. More work, unconvincingly completed since Elland Road, the question remains whether RB can actually be NUFC.

Doubt all you like, Jaissle doesn’t.

“The style will work anywhere,” he said. “They questioned it in Saudi Arabia - can you play that style when it is 40 degrees outside? Can you play it when players are maybe not at the physical level that you have had before? We showed it is possible.

“Look at Barcelona now, and the way they are flying. I would not say that Hansi Flick is from the Red Bull dynasty, but there are a lot of elements in the way he works that can see are from there. The players there might have been more used to playing in a tiki-taka style, but they have adapted and you can see it is working. I was listening to Rodri, and he was saying a lot about the physicality and the way they train now. It shows that it can be done in every league, in my eyes.”

Jaissle’s journey - health, (un)happiness, rebirth with Rangnick

If you think Jaissle’s struggle to add style to create Newcastle United substance is tough, you know little about his journey. This is meat and drink to the quiet village boy who enjoyed the terraces at Stuttgart.

The injury that robbed him of the game he loved at 25 in 2014 is well-documented. But perhaps the struggles that preceded it, even years beforehand as a child, have helped shape the man he has become.

“I had a tumour, when I was five-years-old, in the neck I couldn’t move my neck side to side and I learned a lot,” said Jaissle. “I was only five years old but I learned a lot about life already. How important it is to be healthy and how grateful you can be to be to follow your dream. It was not clear I would be able to play football at that age.

“That was one part. Unfortunately, I was really unlucky with injuries. When I was in the youth team I missed a year, not being able to play a match. I was 16 but I think that gave me the discipline in life to really fight. At that age, you are usually going out, partying, you could quit in that period but I carried on.

“When my made my debut in the first team, after seven eight months of playing regularly for Hoffenheim I ruptured my ACL, my meniscus, the cartilage, everything. I was done. I knew then it could be difficult to carry on playing at the highest level. I was 20…

“It was tough. I had just become a Germany Under-21 international player and I was about to be called into the national team for the first time. That was the next step. We would have played in the under-21s Euros that summer and I ruptured my ACL in the March. It was a tough moment. I was really down back then. I listened to the stories saying I could be back in four months and I fully believed. After four months I was still in a wheelchair.”

He fought at five. Did so again at 16. Fight became his only option from 20 onwards. He admits he fought too long.

“I kept fighting a lot and I kept the dream for longer than the doctors kept it! They gave me early hints that it would be better, maybe, to study or do something else.

“But at least now I can always wake up in the morning and say I did everything, even longer than they recommended. That helped me to overcome that, hopefully at one point I have kids and I can tell them.”

The next step? Coaching surely? Well, not quite. But when the switch was made, one man’s name shines right through Jaissle’s appraisal of his rise. Ralf Rangnick.

“I actually had a period where I was not knowing what to do! I was also struggling for a couple of months, really down, tough to get motivated, tough to get your own rhythm again,” said the 38-year-old.

“For me, in the beginning, it was clear I wanted to have something with football again, not necessarily being a coach. It could have been sports director, athlete manager, agent, whatever. I started studying different things: sports management, athlete management, football management. I was quite busy. It was through an online university where you go to take the tests and exams in Düsseldorf, but the rest was online, so I was quite flexible.

“Then I got the chance through Ralf Rangnick - therefore sometimes I mention him as a mentor. I got the chance to do a trainee program in Leipzig. I started as an assistant coach for Sebastian Hoeneß, the current coach of Stuttgart. We played together in Hoffenheim. After two weeks I felt, ‘Wow, I have joy back in life, not only studying and reading. I have a new purpose’.”

The RB school, licences, then on to Brøndby as assistant. Salzburg youth, their feeder Liefering, then first-team Salzburg. Al Ahli and Saudi riches followed.

Jaissle said: “It was quite fast actually, in retrospect it feels like a dream, all the steps. I would say fast, but also smart. I started in the youth for two years, then assistant coach in the first team abroad, first time coaching in English, doing a lot of things on the pitch. I got a lot of responsibility as a young assistant coach without experience. I took a step back to the under 18s, and for me it was about trying new things without getting punished. For me it is good to start in the youth in my eyes because you can get your identity and philosophy down on paper. Liefering is the farming team for Salzburg and that was also a good experience, before I moved on to the first team at Salzburg.”

Jaissle ‘no surprises’ in Premier League - bar SJP

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That brings Jaissle back full circle. The here and now. Youth, Sweden and provincial Austria are no match for the Premier League. Even the SPL with it’s habit of making often average into generational wealth - but with the odd bit star dust, too - does not quite hold up to the cut and thrust of the world’s most competitive domestic competition. Has it come as a surprise to Jaissle? Well, England boss and friend Thomas Tuchel did not warn him, either way.

“He did not need to warn me, I already knew. There was nothing that surprised me. I expected that level and that quality. I expected that small margins would determine games. Everything that I expected came true,” he said.

“They also told me about the atmosphere at St James’ Park but that exceeded my expectations. You have to be there to feel it. If you are part of the game, you see it and you hear it.”

There’s little doubt the fans are with Jaissle. And listening to him speak, I think he feels that love.

So far, Newcastle United have been no assault on the senses. Feeling love is one thing, hearing support another. Now NUFC fans need to see it. Progress. More green shoots. More goals at one end, less at the other. The taste of success will surely follow. And make no mistake about it, Jaissle demands it, too.

Vice-captain Joelinton and £50million midfielder Nico Gonzalez are back in Newcastle United training.

The Magpies’ squad returned to The Knox for the first time this international break on Tuesday, after Matthias Jaissle allowed his players some leave while others are away with their country.

The return coincided with a media open day for the North East press - with Inside NUFC invited along to speak with Jaissle and watch the United lads back on the training pitches.

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Who is missing for NUFC - internationals & injuries?

While Joelinton (muscular) and Gonzalez (concussion) were back, looking fully up to speed with the rest of the reduced training group, there were some rather notable absentees.

To watch Joelinton back on the training pitches of The Knox, click this link.

Fabian Schar, not listed or stated as injured anywhere, was missing from the group, which included a host of youngsters. Matheos Ferreira, Miodrag Pivas, Dylan Charlton, Mason Miley and Henry Johnson were all spotted with the first-team.

Skipper Dan Burn did not train, but is still expected to be back when the Magpies take on Coventry City in just under a fortnight. Jacob Ramsey, Anthony Elanga, Amar Dedic, Tino Livramento and Will Osula were also missing.

Internationals, such as Lewis Hall, Lukas Hornicek, Matias Fernandez-Pardo, Lewis Miley, Sean Steur and Malick Thiaw, will not be back for another week to 10 days.

Newcastle United travel to Coventry City on Monday, October 12, kick-off 8pm.

Lewis Hall has got nowt to prove, not to us anyway. Anyone who watches Newcastle United knows he’s one of the best in the business.

But tell that to Thomas Tuchel. Hall was shockingly omitted from the World Cup squad in the summer, with right-footed left-backs favoured. All that came after a season in which he excelled, even when Newcastle struggled. At times he was the beacon of light - who could forget that Lamine Yamal performance. It was one for ages.

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However, Tino Livramento was preferred, after a patchy campaign and relegation-contender Djed Spence got in. None of it made any sense, even if Spence was one of the better performers on the way to a crushing semi-final loss.

Watching the Argentina embarrassment, it was not hard to see that Hall would have been invaluable, helping to close that cavernous gap on the left that allowed Lionel Messi to dictate and deflate.

“I was gutted, to be honest,” Hall said on missing out on a spot.

“In football, you never take anything for granted. But yes, I wasn’t necessarily expecting it, if I’m being completely honest. Obviously, everyone has their own opinions, like I mentioned before.

‘You’ve got to respect that’

“You’ve got to respect that. But at the same time, as soon as the first couple of weeks were done, when I realised I wasn’t really there, I just had to think to myself, ‘If I wasn’t a footballer, what would I be doing?’

“And that’s supporting England. I was just with my mates, watching the game together and being a fan. Honestly, we had so many players at the World Cup, so I was obviously all supporting them.

“With Anthony (Gordon) being there, Elliot (Anderson), Dan Burn, when they came on, I was obviously buzzing for them all. I just wanted them all to do so well. When I was watching them and they were all playing really well, it obviously made me proud as well. I was looking at it that way.”

Hall has point to prove

Hall is back now, though. Back in favour, back as an option. Four games, four opportunities for cap no.5. The first tonight v Spain.

Does he feel like he’s got a point to prove?

“A little bit,” he said. “I think you play enough games in a season anyway, where they can see how you play, what you’re good at, what you can improve on, and see how you fit into the squad.

“It’s always nice to go there and create a good impression. So, yes, I’ll be looking to do that.”

It didn’t take long for Newcastle United fans to realise they needed to strap in for the rise of Sean Steur.

And those early judgements have been underlined by Netherlands’ under-21 boss, Michael Reiziger.

Speaking before the Dutch youngsters took on Norway under-21s, Reiziger spoke on the player’s development at Newcastle United, in the Premier League and why he thinks the player is a real rarity.

“Sean is a player you don’t see very often,” he said.

“He reads the game, has drive, is calm on the ball, and can really take control of the game. I saw that last year at Ajax as well, that he already wanted to position players, because he knows that if you stand there, I will become free in another spot. You can already see him orchestrating that and I find that very beautiful to see.”

Reiziger, speaking to the Dutch media, continued: “Sean joined Ajax’s first team last year and did well there but it was often alternating between playing one game and sitting on the bench. Sean continues to develop at Newcastle United which is great to see.

“He is simply a good footballer. And the minutes he can get there, he just needs to extend them - that will make him even stronger. But the fact that he is already playing so much at the highest level in the best league in the world, at a club that is highly regarded there too, that is very impressive for his age.”

Mini Frenkie de Jong. Baby Bruno. When it comes to Sean Steur, Newcastle United’s newest midfield maestro, the superlatives and comparisons flow.

Fans are already torn on the 18-year-old Ajax recruit. It’s not because they don’t rate him - you’d have to be daft not to - it’s mostly because they’ve only just fallen in love with him, and can already plot his route to the top of the game.

You can tell he’s proper Ajax. Right from the Johan Cruyff playbook. Smooth, silky, smart, sees absolutely everything. His body shape and movement is divine, the angles, the twists, the progressive thinking. Tempo defining capability, calm and press resistant. Can we maybe hide him away somewhere so Barcelona - who already admire with a watchful eye - don’t come knocking?

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To Lewis Hall, staying at Newcastle United right now is a ‘no-brainer’. England’s best left-back also wants to remain long-term - he wouldn’t have signed a contract otherwise.

But in order to keep him, the Magpies must deliver what they failed to do with Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and, in particular, Bruno Guimaraes. Newcastle must finally match the ambitions of their top players.

And that’s easier said than done.

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Hall bookended a turbulent summer by putting pen to paper on a new five-year deal at St James’ Park. He admits it was something he was delighted to do.

But, as is quite rightly the case, that commitment is conditional.

Hall wants to stay. His family are Newcastle daft. He was brought up black and white. He admits it kind of hits different playing for ‘his’ club.

We all know, however, football is no ordinary environment. Few careers come with such a short, guaranteed life span. While money really matters, it isn’t always the main driver behind moves.

It’s true Gordon, Tonali, Bruno and Isak all left for more money - significant amounts, too. But, bar Tonali - whose wife had the last say - the others not only sought riches, they wanted success. Newcastle looked like the club to deliver that when these players arrived, but they soon realised it would be elsewhere their ambitions would be satisfied. Gordon left for arguably the second biggest club on the planet. Isak and Guimaraes the reigning Premier League champions, at time of move.

Hall will, in time, be in that category - Newcastle need to make sure his exit is not even a conversation. The task? This time, match trajectories with the player.

Does the new contract mean you’re staying long-term?

“Yeah, I think so. When you’re at a team, you don’t think too far into the future. Obviously, I’m really grateful for the contract that I received and the chance that I’ve been given from the board and the manager and everything like that…

“But yeah, I’m just taking it game by game at a time, just trying to do the best I can for this club.

“We’ve got ambitions and, yeah, as long as we achieve these ambitions and achieve what we want to achieve, I’m sure I’ll be here for a long time.”

Did the Man Utd speculation get to you at all?

“No, honestly, it didn’t. I guess whenever you’re linked with another team, you know that you’re doing something right.

“I guess it’s just a credit to your own performances and how you are as a player, how you are as a person. So I took that as a positive.

“At the same time, I knew how much I loved playing here, and since the manager came in, I knew the ambitions and what we wanted to achieve.

“After not many conversations, not many training sessions, I knew that the manager was going to be really good for this club.

“And I knew that as a team, bringing in new players and increasing the squad was really important. So it was a no-brainer really to sign.”

Newcastle United need a reaction against Hull City - in fact, they just need three points. A win, coupled with a performance, would be the perfect tonic after the first chastening week of the Matthias Jaissle era.

So, ahead of the clash, this is everything the head coach said about the upcoming encounter at St James’ Park, including an injury crisis, Sven Botman ‘love’, Jacob Murphy praise and a whole lot more on the ethos and thinking behind NUFC ‘vertical football’.

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Any news on Anthony Elanga?

Still not a real update on Anthony, as I just spoke with him now, I think in the next 30 minutes (Thursday) he’s in the MRI, so we will get more clarity then. And then we hope that it’s not that serious.

Big blow if he’s out long-term?

Yeah, it’s sad. It’s really sad. After that great start he had, the team had, we counted on him definitely in the way we want to play. It’s a key strength in our squad. But we want to stay positive also when he’s out. Unfortunately, then we need to solve it differently. We have the ability in the squad also to adjust things. We believe in our players. We count on the others, and that’s always a chance also for the others.

With Elanga out, what options will you consider to replace him?

Yeah, I have some thoughts on that. Jacob (Murphy) was doing good. Murphy is an experienced player. He’s played that role many, many times. He’s also intelligent to know exactly what the gaffer is demanding from him and from him on that position in particular. But also there are other options. Not too many at the moment, as Amar (Dedic) will be also not able to play on Saturday, so it’s getting shorter and shorter. That must be tough.

Importance of Jacob Murphy

I mean, you saw that already that he gets the minutes, right? Even if Anthony was fit. He’s a really important player for our squad, not only on the pitch, also off the pitch. Really a leader who also communicates well and knows what it matters to be professional. So I’m really appreciating him. And on the pitch, I said that before also already that he’s so smart, so game-intelligent. He knows exactly his strength and he knows how to deliver then within our identity how we want to play football.

Any players coming back?

Unfortunately not. It doesn’t look that good for the Hull match, if I’m frank enough. But we’re still working on it. Two days left, and maybe there will be a miracle happening that one or the other is joining the squad. For now, it doesn’t look that good.

Will Dan Burn return after the international break?

I hope so. I really hope so. He’s working so professional, so hard like the other lads too. The progress is there. I don’t want to put too much pressure on it but we’re in the time frame.

Importance of Hull result after Leeds and ahead of a long international break?

Yeah, really important. First of all, to show the right reaction after the Leeds match. This is something we discussed now during the last days. We’re fully aligned, fully committed to show in front of our fans a clear reaction. And secondly, it’s always nice to finish the block before the national team break starts with a good result. That’s the second goal we have for that match. And we’re, again, also optimistic, even though there are a couple of challenges now. We have some injured players, not only Anthony, a couple of other players as well, missing. But again, we use that as an opportunity for others.

Some managers who like to stick rigidly to a plan, some change things depending on players they have available, the opposition. Which kind of a manager are you?

I’m really clear in the principles we want to show on the pitch. That doesn’t mean that we need to stick with the formation because if our 10 is 5 meters higher positioned and you suddenly talk about two strikers, we can adjust that easily also within the game. It’s just according to our principles we want to see and how we want to stress their position and how we lift that then on the pitch. Tactical ball is one thing but delivering then things is another thing. We’re really clear in the way we want to play with our principles behind that. That gives the players a clear framework. The formation is not too important.

Fan of the three-week international break?

First of all, I think with that amount of injuries it’s better for us that we have the break in that stage. Other than that, probably I would have enjoyed to continue now and improving and improving and improving. But we face it like it is. We cannot influence it. Hopefully after the national team break our injury list is a bit shorter.

Important for fans to stick with the young players?

They will. I’m really optimistic and I’m sure that they will support us 100%. They have a good feeling and good sense for what I experienced so far about the situation, about the challenges we have. Therefore, I’m really happy that we face Hull on the weekend at home.

What do you think of Hull City?

Huge respect to my colleague because he’s doing an incredible job. Clear identity. They know exactly what to do. They know exactly where their strengths are and they try to deliver that on the pitch and hurt their positions then with their strengths. This is something we need to be aware. We need to take their strengths away and using in the best possible way their weaknesses and then we’re going to have a good result on Saturday.

Pundits say you were bullied - do you agree?

With all the respect for all the pundits, we try to not listen to the external noise because otherwise you would be distracted too much so we’re focusing on just our analysis and on our potential and what we saw. I made it really clear what was in our eyes the reason that it was a really bad first half. We also deserve to tell the lads and tell ourselves the truth and that’s what we did and from there we start again.

Do the team need to be more aggressive?

Without going too much in detail, first of all you’re well informed. I’m not sure if I liked that because it was said in the locker room. But anyway, it’s something important for us to learn out of the first half. I mentioned it after the first half against Bournmouth that these are the fundamentals and yes, you called it aggressiveness in the duels. That’s one part of it, being ready for collecting the second balls. And if these small margins are missing, you saw that also statistic-wise, if that balance drops to the opposition, then you get punished in the Premier League. This is something that happened in the first half and we said that and there was all clarity in the room that the learning curve needs to be really fast. We don’t search for excuses, even with a young squad. We need to learn fast.

What is vertical football?

There are many, many different approaches within that aspect. It’s just the principle of being vertical in your approach. So that could be that you go straight away for the long ball, that you don’t even try to play out from the goalkeeper and just going for the aerial duels there. But that could be also that you have just the intention to have always the first few deep that you try to find the deepest option if that’s always possible. Not in football because if the opposition is taking away the depth then you need to find other solutions. You need to play with deep layoff patterns as an example without going too much in detail. You need to be versatile as well but the idea behind the players mindset after collecting a second ball after winning the ball that the first few is deep that you have that vertical approach that should be always there. To make it work properly, the word you also use is intensity.

First of all you need to be intense out of possession that you’re getting the ball if the opposition have the ball. So you need to be aggressive, intense. That’s also our approach that you have a good swarm behaviour. Ball orientated, full committed, also doing the last steps. If you win then the ball again then we come into the vertical approach but you use the chance the unorganised opponent structure to be vertical and score in the best scenario also goals within a couple of seconds.

Will you switch systems?

No. Absolutely the wrong approach. That could be something for some coaches but I explained that beforehand. The structure or the formation is not the key element. It’s how the players live the principles. If our wingers are five metres deeper, maybe you see a five back. If both wingers are five metres deeper, maybe you talk about a six back.

Is Sven Botman fit?

I’m fully convinced about Sven’s performances and that a player has also some downs at the moment or in a moment, in a season. That’s totally normal. We’re all human beings. Probably you also have a bad day once a year. Sven is a brilliant player with huge potential still. His previous injuries doesn’t affect him at all. He’s fit and he even fights for his team when he has a huge… on the knee. How do you say it in English? A huge cut. It doesn’t kill him. He’s a warrior. That’s what I appreciate a lot with him. He was just continuing going. I love that.

You spoke about how young the midfield ended up being the other day. Presumably Nico Gonzalez can’t beat each other again. How do you compensate for loss of Nico Gonzalez (concussion)?

It will be a young midfield. It will be a young midfield. I heard also from a pundit why I was playing with such young players as we have only young players in the squad. JJ (Jacob Ramsey) is injured as well so we trust him and this is our approach. I said that five weeks ago. It’s a brave journey the club is going through and I’m fully committed in that. Now if there’s one setback we shouldn’t delete our journey or our vision. We’re fully committed. We’re fully aligned. We anticipated that that something like that against Leeds happened or is happening also in the next weeks and months. It’s just on us to respond but still believing we don’t change things.

Any need for Sean Steur to apologise?

Not needed at all. He is apologising because he showed up as a young lad. I remember there were already games where everyone was celebrating him for his attitude, for his maturity at 18 years and this is exactly the thing where I tell him mistakes can happen, such as a pass which led then afterwards to a goal.

We can talk also if we could have avoided in the box then probably nobody would speak about it, so he gets the full confidence from my side.

Not a single doubt on him. He has pure quality at such a young age, how he responds. He still asks for the balls afterwards, so he’s not hiding and this is the right approach. Again from the coaching staff and I’m sure from the fans, he will get the full support.

Can you break down a low block?

I don’t can speak about the last season but as you know also Hull is doing an excellent job this season and not many teams find solutions against them. That shows already how difficult it is. We have a clear approach of course how we want to create chances, how we want to score goals that will be a key element. Not only talking about the intensity about the aggressiveness in the phase out of possession, we also need to stress them to have the intensity in possession to constantly penetrate the last line stress them there and I’m optimistic as well we have the quality on the pitch maybe not the experience that doesn’t count as an excuse to challenge them and to do good.

This was not Newcastle United. Not the Newcastle United the fans want, Matthias Jaissle is working towards or skipper Malick Thiaw represents.

The 4-1 hammering hit hard. It was a reality check for anyone with their head in the clouds after five unbeaten. Many seen it coming. It was the kick up the backside, hopefully, those who laboured in navy blue deserved.

While you can question everything about the formation and setup, masterminded, if a little naïvely, by Jaissle, the responsibility for the players, even if the bigger picture appears flawed, is to run harder than their opponents, battle and win duels. The XI selected failed in every department. Thiaw, who has the armband right now, accepts that. He thinks United didn’t get the basics right - and says the idea they can just rock up and perform is one designated only for those at the very top of the English game.

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‘Not what Newcastle want to be’

“How we performed, the result… it’s not what Newcastle want to be. I wouldn’t take this as an excuse because I think that’s the team we have. It’s going to be this team this season so I don’t take this as an excuse,” said the former AC Milan defender.

“We still have quality. Overall, what’s more important than quality is attitude, the energy we have to bring. Leeds were just better than us today in these kind of terms.

“I don’t think we are on a level right now like the top, top, top teams, which can sometimes do less. I think we always have to be on our top (game).

“The main thing about the duels (is) that we win the duels and be better with the ball as well. The coach gave us a good match plan, but we didn’t really play it well.”

Jaissle’s straight-talking to NUFC underperformers

The German is selective with his words to the public. One-word answers have become the norm, press conferences short and infrequent. It’s an approach that has not landed well with some without and within the four walls at NUFC. But, in reality, if that’s the way he is, let him crack on. A winning team supports the approach. Questions only come when things go bad.

Thiaw said Jaissle certainly did not shy away from the uncomfortable in the aftermath of Elland Road.

“He spoke straight to us,” said Thiaw. “I think that’s the way he is. He speaks straight to us, to the players, what we have to do better. Everybody included. 

“We’re in the same boat. But we have to do better. These kinds of nights, sometimes it’s not good, but it brings us back to reality. The quality we have is good, but it’s not enough just about the quality. We still have to bring the energy.

“He told us, but also it’s about how we deal with these kinds of nights. I think there are two options. You speak everything bad and into the next game with a bad feeling, or you speak about the bad things that happened. 

“But you don’t forget the quality you have or the things you did already. I look forward to the next game (against Hull City) with the wisdom that we have to do better than we did or even the first half against Bournemouth.”

Lewis Hall has signed a new five-year contract at Newcastle United - and revealed he wants to achieve ‘really big things’ at the club.

As revealed by Inside NUFC on Thursday night, the deal was done pending announcement, and at 9am on Friday morning the big reveal came from St James’ Park.

Hall admits he’s delighted to put pen to paper and make his NUFC-daft family proud. And further, while some doubt the ambitions at Newcastle, Hall believes he can have success at the club, especially with the fans behind him.

‘We can go on to achieve really big things’

“I’m absolutely delighted. It’s a really proud moment,” said Hall.

“It’s an absolute pleasure to play for this club and to represent the supporters. I know how much it means to them.

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“The fanbase and the support we get here, whether it’s at St. James’ Park or away, it’s the best in the league in my opinion. To be able to bring joy to their faces, it’s a big thing for me.

“I obviously have a family connection with the club, which is incredibly important to us all. One of the main reasons I play is to make my family proud, and I know how much it means to them to watch me playing for Newcastle United.

“It’s a really good place to be. It’s really pleasing with how we’ve started the season, especially with the new gaffer and coaching staff coming in, and I think we can go on to achieve really big things.”

‘Best is still to come from Lewis’

Newcastle United head coach, Matthias Jaissle, said: “I have been impressed with Lewis since I arrived. He is a very important player for us and for what we are building here, so this is exciting news.

“The combination of his ability and his profile make him an ideal fit for our squad, and his mentality is exactly what you want in a young player. He wants to learn every day and he wants to be better in every match.

“Lewis covers ground in a way that few players can. He defends with maturity and intelligence, and his technical level means he can support the team higher up the pitch.

“What excites me most is that I believe the best is still to come from Lewis. He has a lot of room to develop, and I am looking forward to working with him as he grows with us.”

‘A player who feels at home here’

Newcastle United sporting director, Ross Wilson, said: “Lewis has been a key part of our planning. We were always clear that his future was with us, and in the context of our business this summer, retaining him and extending his contract was right up there in terms of importance.

“We’ve had really positive conversations throughout this process, and agreeing a new contract always felt like a natural next step. That says a lot about his character and commitment, and he has been consistent in his performances and consistent in how he has conducted himself. We see a player who feels at home here, connected to his teammates, our staff and our supporters.

“He is already a top player, and it’s a real source of pride that his performances in a Newcastle shirt have earned him international recognition with England. We firmly believe there’s even more to come – for us and on the international stage.

“I’m delighted we’ve been able to extend his contract long term.”

Many fans have been left wondering - what is actually going on with Aladji Bamba and Bazoumana Toure?

The duo were signed to much fanfare in the summer, for a combined fee of near £80million - but, as we sit here, they’re seen a combined total of just 15 minutes in the Premier League. Bamba got 14 of those on the opening day v Liverpool and hasn’t been seen since, while Toure played one minute at Tottenham Hotspur and got another half in the Carabao Cup win over West Brom.

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It has got fans talking about the pair, especially given the outlay, and opportunity missed to hand them minutes down at Millwall in the round four victory.

But Jaissle insists, it seems, that things aren’t that deep. He has not frozen them out, as such - that terms seems a bit harsh - more taken them out of the firing line to protect, given their age. Both are just 20 years of age.

“Bazou, it’s really clear, he’s a young lad, came as a new signing and he’s doing a great job. You see the steps now in training, he’s really committed,” said Jaissle.

“It’s sometimes in football that if you have other players performing as well on a really high level, like Harvey (Barnes) at the moment, then you’re getting a little bit less playing time. But we said that from the beginning, especially for the young lads and the new signings that we give them time.”

The situation with former Monaco midfielder Bamba is also a relaxed one, says Jaissle.

“It’s the same with AB for instance,” he added. “We’re not pushing, especially not externally, pushing them in getting more minutes. It’s normal progress and we’re supporting them to getting there.”

So, it seems, patience may be needed with the two NUFC summer arrivals. It’s a good job a whole host of others have hit the ground running, then.

Nico Gonzalez, seemingly, buying Bamba time to adapt, while Anthony Elanga returning from a season-long slumber has also allowed Ivorian Toure some breathing space.

Newcastle United defender Lewis Hall has penned a new five-year deal at St James’ Park, pending official announcement.

Inside NUFC revealed earlier this week that the England defender had agreed the new contract, which was then with club legals to dot the i’s and cross the t’s. And we’ve now had it confirmed the deal is done. It will keep the player, theoretically, with the Magpies until 2031, which adds two years to the terms of his last contract.

The deal is said to reward the player for his rapid development and increased standing within the group, bringing him closer to parity with the higher earners in the United squad.

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And while head coach Matthias Jaissle would not confirm nor deny the new deal in his pre-Leeds United press conference, he spoke from the heart about his love for the work he’s seen from Hall, who turned 22 on Tuesday, so far this season.

“Yeah, without speaking about his contract, I can just say that I’m in love with what I saw so far from him,” said Jaissle, whose side travel to Elland Road on Monday night.

“It’s an amazing player with huge potential still, and this makes me so happy to hopefully have him here for the next years, in the long term, as he’s fitting so good to this identity, how we want to play football, and again, he’s doing an excellent job.”

The Newcastle United Supporters Club have welcomed the early call on festive fixture changes - but highlight the difficulty it may cause for some match-goers on Boxing Day.

Newcastle United fans have now learned that four of their festive fixtures have been altered for live TV coverage.

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What’s changed?

Unlike last year, the Magpies will have a Boxing Day game, but the clash with Manchester City at St James’ Park will take place at 8pm that evening.

The home game against Nottingham Forest four days later - Wednesday, December 30 - has also been changed to a 7.30pm kick-off.

The trip to face Chelsea will now take place a day later than planned, kicking off at 2pm on Sunday, January 3, while the trip to Old Trafford will move back one day to Thursday, January 7, and has been set for an 8pm kick-off.

All four games will now be shown live on Sky Sports.

And while NUSC are happy fans have plenty of time to prepare for the changes, unlike in previous years, they’re also slightly concerned for some fans’ travel on December 26.

Joe Moore, of NUSC, said: "We welcome early confirmation of the Christmas and New Year fixture list as it allows match going supporters the opportunity to plan ahead. We also recognise the difficulty that the late kick off on Boxing Day will have for some supporters, especially those reliant on public transport. We continue to engage with the Football Supporters Association and will always put forward our members’ point of view.”

Check out the Newcastle United Supporters Club and the work they do by clicking this link.

A club statement confirming the changes, explains: “Over the Christmas and New Year period, clubs have at least a 60-hour break between fixtures. This is in keeping with commitments made to clubs to address the congested festive schedule - in the context of an expanding European and international fixture calendar.

“Broadcast selections for match rounds in November are due to be announced by the week commencing 21 September 2026 and match rounds in December will be announced by the week commencing 19 October 2026.”

FIXTURE CHANGES

NUFC v Manchester City - December 26, 8pm

NUFC v Nottingham Forest - December 30, 7.30pm

Chelsea v NUFC - January 3, 2pm

Manchester United v NUFC - January 7, 8pm

Newcastle United head coach Matthias Jaissle has revealed an injury concern after the Carabao Cup win over Millwall.

Full-back Amar Dedic was taken off at half-time in the 1-0 win. He was replaced by Tino Livramento.

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And while Jaissle admits the withdrawal of the £30million Bosnian international was to protect the player, he hopes Dedic will be OK, having felt his hamstring - especially given how important he is to the system.

“Amar fell a little bit on his hamstring, so we didn’t want to take any risk, but it was also planned that Tino gets a bit more minutes than last time,” said the head coach, who has now gone five games unbeaten at the start of his NUFC reign.

‘They don’t lie’

Jaissle stressed just how important Dedic and Lewis Hall - United’s man-of-the-match at The Den - are to the way he wants to play. That’s something underlined by the fact they have five assists between them this campaign.

He continued: “Really important, as you saw also in the statistics, they don’t lie, so we involve them heavily in possession, usually to be also dominant in the final third, and we have that quality on both sides, so I’m really pleased to see these performances.”

Results is all that matters - Jaissle

Even the happiest of clappers would admit things were far from pretty at Millwall. And while results have been brilliant, performances are not quite matching up. Jaissle isn’t concerned.

He said: “Yeah, it's positive definitely if you have results, because in the end it's about results, and if you face such a transition period with so many changes and so many challenges, then I think everyone would have signed that start. There's improvement and potential to improve, this is also clear, this is normal in football, and especially in such an early stage. But again, there could have been much more challenges already, and the ones we had we faced really good.”

Ross Wilson has revealed Newcastle United can spend money in the January transfer window - if the team requires it.

While record sales and a modest overall transfer spend when factoring sales vs buys would point towards considerable headroom for the Magpies, the calculation is never that simple, not with UEFA and new Premier League regulations to attend to. Add in the fact Newcastle must now comply with their recent UEFA ruling for overspending, and things get even more complex.

Wilson oversaw a transfer window spend of approximately £273million in the summer. That was propped up by the collective sales of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon for around £240million. All things told, a modest £33million spent.

And when asked if United could go back to the well to help Matthias Jaissle in the winter window, should it be required, sporting director Wilson said it was entirely possible - but the hope would be the eight first-team group signings would be enough to see Newcastle compete ‘til May.

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‘Doesn’t mean we might not make further alterations’

Asked if NUFC could spend, he responded: “Yeah, of course, but we’ve built a squad for the season. That’s what we’ve done.

“That doesn’t mean we might not make further alterations to it in January.”

The message is clear from the top however, the recent summer of sales is far from the last stanza, more an ongoing calculation that every club in the Premier League must undertake. Being good sellers pays under current financial regs.

“I’ve said before, if you want to be a successful club in the Premier League, you have to trade players, and if you don’t, chances are you won’t be a successful club,” said former Rangers and Nottingham Forest chief, Wilson.

‘If you don’t trade, you get stuck’

“Particularly where the revenues of this club are in a phase where David [Hopkinson] and his team are making those revenues really, really grow. But without that, if you don’t trade players, you’re going to get stuck."

He continued: “These are the conversations that every club’s got to have now. We’re working on a regulatory framework that isn’t for Newcastle United, it’s for everyone. So this isn’t a choice, it’s what you’ve got to do. And if you don’t do it with this, then just keep the squad you’ve got forever more and they’ll grow old and achieve less than lead for nothing.”

Pardo only possible due to Wolte exit

Matias Fernandez-Pardo should make his full NUFC debut tonight against Millwall in the Carabao Cup - and Wilson has explained he wouldn’t be doing so, unless the Magpies let a player go. And it turns out Nick Woltemade was the sacrificial lamb, although the director says it so easily could have been others.

Wilson said: “Ultimately, the Matias Fernandez-Pardo deal was possible because we did the Nick Woltemade deal. Now, if we didn’t do the Nick Woltemade deal, it might have been another deal.”

Every bit of Newcastle’s summer was conducted through a lens of UEFA and Premier League regulations - nowadays, for every club, it’s part and parcel of the game. And, from learned experience, United never wanted to find themselves in an Elliot Anderson situation again. Wilson insists the financial health of the club is now positive.

“The bottom line is, where the club was previously strategically, and I was a beneficiary of it, led to the sale of Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh, and the UEFA sanction. That’s the facts, that’s the reality, which nobody wanted to be there again,” he said.

‘We had to do Anthony Gordon deal’

“Going into this transfer window, we had to do a deal like Anthony Gordon. Might have been another player, but it had to be a deal like Anthony Gordon.

“We’re now very, very clear, we’re in a positive place - but we’re not patting ourselves on the back. We have to move forward bravely and strongly with our new coach, with our new players and with the players that were here before.

“So we’re happy where we’ve got to, but lots of work still to be done to get the whole club to where we want to get it to.”

On Newcastle United’s spending capacity moving forward, chief financial officer, Simon Capper went a little further, explaining why NUFC can spend what they can spend - and why they sometimes can’t.

NUFC set to comply with UEFA on financial settlement

“Basically we’re good for this season now,” he said, in what will be a relief to many.

“Subject to anything dramatic happening during this season we’re not expecting. And therefore next season, what we can spend, somebody else, what we can spend in the summer based on that. Whilst we’ve got different scenarios, the answer is the number is quite different depending on where we are. So we’re in the Champions League, we’ve got a much bigger number to spend next summer than if we’re not in Europe at all.

“And so those numbers do absolutely depend on where we finish in the league and what European competition, if any, we’re in next year. Because the revenue difference is so big. I mean, we’re talking £60-£70 million minimum for the Champions League to where we would be today. Probably talking £30-£40 for the European League and probably £20m minimum for the UECL. So even the UECL is material, but once you get to the Champions League it ends up being potentially 20% of your revenue. So of course that affects our budget because again, we spend what we’ve got. So if we’re looking to spend what we’ve got, we’ve got 80 million more, we can spend more.”

In relation to said UEFA agreement, Capper said things are pretty rosy right now.

“We’re complying with, well, we’re forecasting to be complying with the Premier League. And we are well within, currently, our UEFA settlement agreement for UEFA football earnings, which is their version of PSR. And that still exists as well,” he said.

This summer was crackers for Newcastle United. Hard to get away from that fact. Newcastle proved hard but fair sellers - in truth, they ended up selling more than they wanted to.

Every wantaway player, no matter their reputation or standing, got the exit door they desired, for the right price, of course.

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Everyone of Manchester red persuasion told us, with huge confidence, that Lewis Hall was top of the Red Devils’ wanted list. And that Hall would drag himself over hot coals to leave Tyneside - it really did get that strong.

But here we are, Monday, September 7, nearly a week past the end of the transfer window and, unsurprisingly, Lewis Hall is still Newcastle United’s left-back.

Strange that. Players who aren’t 100% committed are found moves, no matter their importance, see Bruno Guimaraes as example. Hall is the jewel in the crown of Michael Carrick’s summer. Hall doesn’t want to play for Newcastle anymore. But there he was - I saw it with my own eyes - in black and white, running up and down the wing, just like he did last season, at St James’ Park. Something doesn’t quite add up, does it? Maybe, just maybe, someone, somewhere has been telling porkies this summer.

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