Howe "very proud" of England trio following World Cup selection

Three Lions manager Gareth Southgate announced his 26-man squad for the finals in Qatar, taking place later this month on Thursday afternoon, with Trippier, Wilson and Pope all included as they bid to end a 66-year wait for a second World Cup triumph.

The Magpies will take on Graham Potter's Blues on Saturday afternoon (kick-off 5.30pm GMT) in their final fixture before the Premier League season comes to a halt due to football's biggest showpiece commencing in nine days' time.

Here's what Howe had to say at his pre-match media briefing at the Magpies' Benton training ground on Friday morning:

On Kieran Trippier, Callum Wilson and Nick Pope being called up for England's World Cup squad ahead of the 2022 finals in Qatar this year, the first time since 1998 the club will have three players representing the Three Lions at a major tournament...

"I think it's great for us. We're very proud of our international players and it's really good that we try and provide a place where players can excel and do well, hopefully getting called up for their international teams.

"Of course, there's always two sides and I'm disappointed for some others that have missed out. The players that will go, go with our best wishes and we hope they do well for themselves and their families.

"It's an amazing thing for (Callum Wilson) individually. Callum's had a difficult career. It's not always been about the successes. He's risen from the lower leagues to the Premier League and now to the national squad at a World Cup.

"I think it's been a brilliant thing for me witness first-hand and then when you see how it's been achieved, you see it's been through dedication, consistency to his work and a really positive mindset.

"Even when he'd get injured, his first instinct was always to come back better and he'd put that work in to come back better. It's not just talk with Callum - he actually delivers and he's got a way of scoring goals, a uniqueness about him, so I'm delighted for him and I hope he can go and make a real impact."

On drawing AFC Bournemouth, whom he played and managed for, in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup...

"It's crazy how things unfold. I was watching it live and that's football for you. The draw always sparks up games of real interest and, for us, it's really good to be home and it will be a difficult game.

"The longer we can stay in this competition, that's something we really, really want to do. We're desperate to get to the latter stages and then, as everyone knows, anything can happen. We'll focus on the Bournemouth game, trying to give our best to win."

On facing Chelsea, current Club World Cup Champions, and aiming to extend their unbeaten Premier League streak to ten matches:

"We're hopeful to continue our good form and momentum. We know it's going to be a really difficult game. I really like Graham Potter and I've got a lot of respect for him. His teams always, tactically, give you a problem so we're going to need to deal with that.

"They've got world-class players but we have to make sure we continue our excellent intensity levels and the crowd play a part because I think that's been a big weapon for us here.

"We want to win. We want to try and get as many points as we can. The players have done really well in consistently being able to produce not just the performances but the results we've wanted. We're under no illusions of how difficult this task will be so we're going to need our highest level of performance to win."

On Chris Wood, who is targeting a first Premier League start since August if Wilson is unlikely to to feature against the Blues...

"Chris is a really important part of our squad. I'd say he scored a brilliant goal against Southampton. It was a really good finish, a very good team move, and he finished it beautifully. 

"His penalty the other night (against Crystal Palace) was a one of real confidence and I was really pleased to see him score that. It got us off to the perfect start with him being penalty taker number one. He's in a good place and, if needed, he can perform really well."

On club record signing Alexander Isak, with the Swedish forward continuing his recovering from a thigh injury sustained in September:

"I'm not sure whether he'll train with us initially. He had a scan the other day on his injury and it looks good.

"It looks like it's healed but now the process starts of building him up and making sure he's robust enough to come through training. We hope by the time the games starts, he's available for selection."