Howe expecting "emotionally charged game" at Luton

The Magpies travel to Kenilworth Road targeting a first Premier League away win since September and face a Luton side situated five points adrift of the relegation zone.

Ahead of competing at the unique venue, Howe is aware of the test the newly-promoted outfit will provide along with the home crowd undoubtedly likely to show their vast support for Lockyer, with the Hatters skipper collapsing on the pitch during last weekend's Premier League clash against AFC Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.

Howe will be hopeful Anthony Gordon, who was forced off during Newcastle's Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat via penalties against Chelsea on Tuesday evening due to a calf injury, will be available for United's final away fixture of the calendar year as well as Swedish forward Alexander Isak, who has netted nine goals in all competitions so far this term.

Here are some of the main talking points from the boss' pre-match media briefing at United's Benton-based training ground on Friday morning...

On team-news, with Gordon and Emil Krafth both withdrawn during the Magpies’ Carabao Cup quarter-final defeat against Chelsea:

“We're going to see how they are this morning. Anthony [Gordon] was sore - it was a horrible challenge on him. I am really disappointed with the tackle but we will see how he is today. Hopefully, he'll improve quickly.

Emil [Krafth] had a really nasty cut on his shin which went quite deep and required stitches so he's quite sore as well. Scans for Joelinton and Fabian [Schär] painted a similar picture as we thought, not too serious with either. Alex [Isak] is 50/50 (on featuring against Luton).”

On Luton captain Tom Lockyer, who suffered a cardiac arrest during the Hatters' Premier League away clash against AFC Bournemouth last weekend:

“Watching the game back as we did, that was a really difficult moment for everyone connected with Luton and Tom himself. It really puts football into perspective. His health is paramount.

"It's the second time it has happened (to him) and we want to send him our best wishes from everyone connected with Newcastle.”

On the Magpies' first trip to Kenilworth Road since 1994:

“It is a very difficult place to go. I've been there many times as a player but we are looking forward to the game. Their (home) games they've had have been interesting and, if you go back through them individually, they ran Manchester City and Arsenal close and got a good draw against Liverpool.

"First and foremost, they have competed well in every game. They've been physically very good, fully committed to how they play. I think Rob (Edwards) has done a brilliant job.

"Knowing the stadium like I do; it will not be an easy game for us. We will have to be at our very best. It's difficult to know what the atmosphere will be like but I'm sure it will be an emotionally charged game.”

On Kieran Trippier's reaction to Tuesday's Carabao Cup exit against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge:

"Kieran's fine. He is a very strong character and vastly experienced. It's never about one individual for me, it's always about the collective and that's very much how we reacted to Tuesday's game.

"We were so close to progressing. That was our intention and a lot of the performance was very good. Penalty shoot-outs are always a lottery but it's very much a collective response we did.

"Being one of the leaders of the group, he's a standard setter and a role model. Everyone will look to him as they will do the other leaders in the group but I don't think it's been any different.

"We've all been in these positions before and I think the team has carry the weight forward and we need a response against Luton."

On Sven Botman, with the Dutch defender making his first competitive start since September against Chelsea earlier this week:

“Sven is good, we will assess him today. I am very pleased with his return in the two games that he's played. He has looked strong and comfortable.

"It will take him some time to build his rhythm back to his absolute best, as always when a player comes back from an injury, but he's looked really good so far.”

On Callum Wilson, who scored against Chelsea on his 100th competitive appearance for the Magpies:

“Callum has come back into the team and done really well in a time where he didn’t have a lot of training before hitting the pitch.

His fitness was of the highest level, being able to play 90 minutes, and he's looked strong physically. He took his goal really well and led the line as he always does.”