The Magpies are in Austria to start a five day training camp and Eddie Howe already has had big job ticked off
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe was smiling as the Magpies jetted off from Tyneside on a grey July day ahead of their boot camp in Austria.
Hard work will be the order of the day as Howe gets the opportunity to work with the players away from the spotlight of the media. This week will differ from Newcastle's trip to the Alps in 2022 when the North-East Press pack were invited by the backroom team to get an inside view of training.
Most importantly for Howe was the presence of his new £55m signing Anthony Elanga, who boarded the plane looking ready for business. Howe asked for "speed" with transfers back in May, and while it has taken some time to get Elanga through the door from Nottingham Forest, his move has been done in good time for pre-season preparation.
Howe would arguably have liked a couple more signings done by now, but he will take the situation as it is with the Premier League's big kick off a month away. Elanga may make his debut at Celtic at the weekend with Newcastle due to fly straight to Glasgow for the Parkhead encounter.
Given Newcastle have suffered some disruption in the off season, with sporting director Paul Mitchell leaving the club, Howe is said to be relatively pleased with business but like any manager always striving for more where possible. Burnley keeper James Trafford remains the next target for Newcastle as talks continue with the Clarets.
After that a centre-back and a forward to play the role of back-up in the vital months ahead. The good news for Newcastle ahead of their journey to Austria was that Joelinton and Jamaal Lascelles were fit and raring to go.
Both got minutes under their belt during the 4-0 rout of Carlisle United in a behind closed doors friendly game on Saturday at the training ground.
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