Howe is expected to shake things up when it comes to his team selection on Wednesday evening
Sean McCormick is a football writer covering Newcastle United for ChronicleLive. After starting his career covering North East sport, he has had a spell working as an editor on the Manchester Evening News. He also writes about darts and boxing. He joined us in 2016.
Newcastle pair William Osula (L) and Anthony Elanga (R) should get a chance from the start against Tottenham Hotspur
Newcastle pair William Osula (L) and Anthony Elanga (R) should get a chance from the start against Tottenham Hotspur
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Eddie Howe is a huge fan of Anthony Elanga. So it was no surprise when the Newcastle United head coach went into bat to defend his £55million summer signing in Friday's press conference.
Howe told reporters it will take time for Elanga to understand the 'Newcastle Way', something he argued wasn't 'unique' for new signings being embedded into the club.
He also vowed it will 'really be worth the wait' when he does although he probably currently finds himself at the bottom of the rung when it comes to the pecking order of wingers at St James' Park at the moment.
Anthony Gordon, Jacob Murphy and Harvey Barnes have all been on the scoresheet in the last two games and Howe has said they are working hard on the training ground with Elanga to help him make a decisive difference in the attacking third, too.
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He has struggled for consistency this season but an opportunity to force his way back into the side will present itself on Wednesday when Howe could offer Elanga a place in the starting XI for the Carabao Cup fourth round clash against Tottenham.
With two Premier League away trips on the horizon, as well as next week's Champions League clash against Athletic Bilbao, Howe could look to rest Gordon and Murphy, which would see Elanga and Barnes start on the wings.
It is also a good opportunity to give Nick Woltemade a rest and hand William Osula a chance up front after his impressive cameo from the bench in Saturday's win over Fulham.
It means Elanga and Osula could start together in the front three and the pair are known to have a strong friendship, dating back to when they were youngsters.
"He is like my little brother and I have known him for a long time," Elanga told club media after he signed from Nottingham Forest in the summer.
"When I was at Man United, he came on trial when he was 12 so I have known him for a very long time. He has not changed, he is still the same Will Osula everyone knows.
"He has told me amazing things about the club and he is one of the reasons that I wanted to come and join. He spoke so highly about it and I couldn't wait to see him today."
That familiarity could breed success for Elanga, as he searches for a breakthrough moment at Newcastle.
Motivation will also be high for Osula, who joined the club for £15million in the summer of 2024, with summer signing Yoane Wissa edging closer to a return to action.
Osula has featured in all nine of Newcastle's Premier League games this season but his opportunities may become more limited when he is competing with both Nick Woltemade and Wissa in the centre-forward role.
Howe is hopeful that competition for places drives on performance levels in all his players and the pair's strong relationship could breed positive results on the pitch as the Magpies aim to continue the defence of the Carabao Cup trophy they won last season.