NEWCASTLE CONFIDENTIAL: Eddie Howe’s England snub, Yankuba Minteh’s sale, and Callum Wilson’s fitness surprise

Alexander Isak is set to return from injury for Newcastle this weekend in a huge boost for Eddie Howe – but Callum Wilson may need a little bit longer.

All the talk on Tyneside this past fortnight has been of whether the pair will be available for Saturday’s visit of Brighton.

Wilson has been sidelined since the summer with back and hamstring issues and, while he will be given every chance to prove his fitness, Confidential can reveal that he remains a doubt.

The Magpies will also be without Kieran Trippier, who will be missing for a few weeks at least with a hamstring strain, as reported in this column last week. Newcastle are also nursing one or two other knocks.

The good news is that Isak has recovered from his broken toe and the Sweden striker is likely to lead the line, barring any late setbacks. He has missed the last three matches. Wilson was expected to return at the same time – he still could – but the word coming back to us this week is that he may need more time.

It brings into focus the comments of Howe from earlier this month, when he spoke of his regret at seldom having his two forwards available together.

William Osula was bought for £10millionin the summer to act as back-up, but Howe has been reluctant to use him in the Premier League. The 21-year-old was also on the bench for Denmark Under-21s this week and came on for the final half hour. It was interesting to note the comments of his coach afterwards, when he said that Osula was ‘challenged by the fact he is playing too little’.

GOING THE EXTRA MILE-Y

One player who supporters will have to wait to see in action after seven months out is Lewis Miley.

The 18-year-old has trained in recent days after recovering from a broken foot, but we understand the plan is to give him one more week to build fitness. That would open the possibility of a place on the bench for either next Sunday’s Premier League trip to Chelsea or the visit of the same opponents in the Carabao Cup three days later.

Miley was stepping up his recovery from a back injury suffered in March when, in June, he broke a metatarsal in a freak incident while running.

But after bursting onto the scene last season, the hope is that he will return stronger and more mature for the period out. Indeed, I bumped into him recently, and I swear he’s now even taller than the 6ft 2ins he was listed as earlier this year.

Meanwhile, goalkeeper Martin Dubravka is back in training after missing the final game before the international break because of injury.

NO CASH FOR EDDIE!

Eddie Howe was NOT one of the 10 candidates the Football Association claim to have interviewed for the England job – because they could not afford him!

We understand the FA were put off by the compensation it would have taken to release Howe from his contract at St James’ Park. Those leading the search were aware of the likely figure very early in their recruitment process and so, beyond learning of the financial requirements, there was no further contact. It is thought the cost would have been upwards of £6m.

But given Howe was the outstanding English candidate, it is baffling that they did not even attempt to enter discussions with Newcastle, especially when sporting director Paul Mitchell appeared to leave the door open for an approach in early September.

Howe has always maintained that his focus is Newcastle, but for that resolve not to be tested by the FA has left many in the game scratching their head.

MITCH GETS BUSY

Paul Mitchell is getting busy with new appointments at the club – and next up to arrive will be a ‘loans and recruitment sports scientist’ and a ‘loans physiotherapist’.

We reported two weeks ago that the club were hiring a psychologist who will provide psychological and behavioural assessments of prospective signings.

And now the new sports scientist will assist that by providing a physical profile of players to ensure it mirrors the physical and playing profile wanted by the club. They will also be tasked with identifying clubs to host Newcastle’s loan players. The aim is to find the best clubs in terms of playing style and player development.

Meanwhile, the new physio will be responsible for looking after players on loan. Jamie Miley, older brother of Lewis, was sent to Newport County last month, only to be forced off with an injury on his debut. He is still sidelined after hernia surgery.

Given the increased emphasis on signing younger players to develop before selling – without possibly touching the first team – the loan pathway is seen as key to enhancing value. Mitchell has very quickly set about beefing up the loans department, currently headed by Shola Ameobi.

WHY YAN WASN’T THE MAN FOR TOON…

On the subject of such players, I spoke to someone very close to Brighton this week and they asked me: ‘Why didn’t Newcastle just take a points deduction and keep Yankuba Minteh?’

They have been very impressed by the winger since his £33m move to the south coast in June – a sale made necessary by Newcastle’s need to plug their PSR deficit and avoid a points deduction.

Minteh spent last season on loan at Feyenoord and never kicked a ball for Newcastle. His sale marked a £27m profit in just 12 months.

However, there are two reasons why the 20-year-old did not remain at St James’ Park. Primarily, those inside the club were told in no uncertain terms that the Saudi ownership would not entertain the embarrassment of a points deduction. That is why we saw the notion of selling Anthony Gordon to Liverpool briefly entertained.

But secondly, while there was a want to see how Minteh would fare during pre-season, some senior staff were not convinced he was what Newcastle needed in that role of right-sided forward.

Time will tell and, from what I’ve seen so far, I would say he remains raw and inconsistent with his final ball. Still, the talent is evident and those close to Brighton have been taken by his work-ethic off the ball.

TOON TRIO ALL SMILES

I was in Finland with England at the weekend and, when the squad arrived at Helsinki’s Olympic Stadium, they had to walk above the press room, looking down through glass into the gymnasium in which we were housed.

While most walked alone with headphones or even scowled down at us, I’m pleased to report that Nick Pope, Tino Livramento and Anthony Gordon were all smiles and looked happy to be in each other’s company. It’s just a shame they spent the next 90 minutes also sat together on the bench!

ANT MAKES BIG STEP

And finally, it was encouraging to hear of Anthony Munda involved in senior training this week.

Subscribers to my WhatsApp channel will recall how I flagged him as one to watch following a recent Under-21s fixture.

The midfielder, 18, has all the tools to be a top player and it would be great to see him involved in a matchday squad at some point this season.

TOON TEASER…

It’s Toon Teaser time. Last week’s puzzler was… can you name the SEVENTEEN players to have played for Newcastle and Bolton since 1992. 

The answers were; Sammy Ameobi, Shola Ameobi, Adam Armstrong, Peter Beardsley, Franz Carr, Robbie Elliott, Abdoulaye Faye, Les Ferdinand, Danny Guthrie, Steve Howey, Daryl Murphy, Kevin Nolan, Andy O’Brien, Scott Sellars, Gary Speed, Alan Thompson and Tommy Wright.

This week’s question is, can you name the NINE players to have appeared for Newcastle and Brighton since 1992?

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