Newcastle United are finally back in Premier League action after winning the Carabao Cup against Liverpool last month. The Magpies enjoyed a barnstorming parade celebration over the weekend, as 300,000 fans flocked to both events in the city centre and the Town Moor.
Now, however, Eddie Howe will be calling for full focus as United go in search of a Champions League finish with 10 games to play. Newcastle start their mission for a top five finish by welcoming Brentford to St James' Park in midweek.
In terms of injuries, Sven Botman is working his way back on the sidelines in the hope he can feature before the end of the season. However, Lewis Hall, who was pictured on crutches over the weekend, will miss the run in.
All of this and more will be on the agenda on Tuesday morning as we speak to Eddie Howe at United's Benton training base.
Big contract news
The rebuild for next season has begun...
The injury news in full
Big updates on Gordon, Botman and Lascelles this morning.
Howe's flag tribute
It was totally unexpected. I didn't know it was there and didn't know it was coming. You're in a little bit of shock in that moment because it's never about one individual, it's never about me, it's always about the team, but there was a lot of thanks from me to the people that thought of that.
To have that connection with the city and the supporters, to acknowledge that they know that I'm trying for them and giving my best in the job - that's a great thing to have.
Schar contract
Fabian Schar set to sign a contract at Newcastle 'imminently', admits Eddie Howe.
Lascelles update
I don't know if we will see Jamaal again (this season) and I don't want to set a target or time. He has started very light training with the squad.
But on the drills that are not competitive he has joined in. He has looked very good, it is small steps for him.
We are hoping to get him to join in and competing before the end of the season whether that ties in with the team and whether he gets there in time for competitive action we will see. He is a huge leader and very popular within the group.
He has a big presence and I was delighted he got to lift the cup with the other guys. He deserved that moment for the length of time he has been here and the service he has given.
Putting Newcastle on the map
We have seen the power of Newcastle in a positive force. Globally I'm sure the world has looked at us and...you can see the city is united. The football club is incredibly well-supported. There is a connection that's unique.
Vintage Eddie...
How long did Howe enjoy the cup final win before getting back to work? [the most obvious Eddie Howe answer ever incoming...]
Really, honestly, it was the next day. It's just how I'm wired and it's how I'm built, and I tried to sort of have a word with myself and change how I am, but I couldn't - so I was back watching the Liverpool game the next day.
On my own, analysing the game and and going through it for what we need to improve...
I can't change who I am, so I enjoyed that because it was a good performance and you always enjoy it hen you play well, and then it was a case of watching Brentfor for the same day and being straight back to work.
Getting back on track
It has been a case of resetting and looking at our goals again in a different way. We need to put what happened against Liverpool to the back of our minds and now really focus on the final ten games. Ten great opportunities to grab and try to turn our Premier League season into a memorable one as well as the cup final. Hopefully the lads are boosted and have renewed confidence.
Big injury updates
On Botman:
Yeah, Sven's not too bad. He's had an operation, a very minor operation, just to clean out a floating bone that was in his knee that was causing him the problem.
I think the initial diagnosis was between 6 to 8 weeks, but I think it's already got through 2 or 3 of those, so he's on the road, he's feeling good, fingers crossed we see him probably in May sometime.
On Gordon:
Anthony has a really nasty bruise in and around his thigh. He's up and running, feeling quite good. He hasn't trained with the group yet, so we anticipate he'll do that within the next few days.
Full focus on Brentford
Yeah, I think we are [ready to play again.] I think we enjoyed the break, I think we enjoyed sort of the line going through the cup final.
I know we've had a bit of time to absorb what happened in that game. Thankfully it was positive, but I think now we're ready to play again. I think we've be ready to play again for a while.
That's what we do and we're still in the middle of the season, so it's quite a long break, we have to try and navigate that as well as we can, with all the emotion around the game that you've just had.
Hopefully we're ready to play. Of course we've had a split group, we've had quite small numbers. Only recently we've now got the group back together but I think we're focused.
First up - those parade scenes
Yeah, an amazing day, still some vivid memories of it, and I think. Just a massive thank you to everybody that turned up - as it was cold!
It just goes to show, I think the numbers that we have that are willing to support the team and, as you say, not everyone could get to Wembley and we know football is expensive to either to travel or to buy tickets for games.
So that was an opportunity for everyone, en masse to come and support the team and and show their love and it was, it was an amazing day and it shows the power football possesses it can change people's mood, can change the city's mood, and I just think it was a great day for everyone connected in Newcastle.
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Good morning!
Hello and welcome to Chronicle Live's coverage of Eddie Howe's press conference.
The NUFC boss will be here this morning to talk Brentford and to relive the incredible parade scenes of Saturday.
