West Ham United manager Graham Potter
West Ham United manager Graham Potter
Graham Potter has dismissed any notion that Newcastle United will have one eye on next Sunday's Carabao Cup final when they face his West Ham side on Monday night.
The two teams go head to head at the London Stadium just six days before the Magpies face Liverpool at Wembley to decide the first silverware of 2025. Newcastle have not enjoyed the best build up to the big day, with Anthony Gordon suspended following his red card against Brighton, while Lewis Hall and Sven Botman have both picked up injuries to rule them out of the final.
However, Premier League points remain hugely important to Eddie Howe's side, with Champions League qualification a very real prospect this season. Fifth place is likely to guarantee entry into next season's competition, and with the table delicately balanced, Newcastle can ill-afford to take their eye off the ball.
Potter is expecting a tough challenge on Monday evening, and feels next weekend's Wembley date will play no part in Newcastle's preparations.
"I don't think any time is a good or bad time to play a team, there is just the time to play anybody," Potter said. "If you look at the table logically, they are in the top six, and are fighting for Champions League points.
"They will be looking for the best way to prepare for a cup final, which will be to win a Premier League game, so I am expecting a tough game against a highly motivated team.
"Eddie has done a fantastic job there. They are well organised and play with huge intensity. They are not fighting for Champions League places for nothing and we expect that challenge."
West Ham come into the game on the back on consecutive victories, beating Arsenal 1-0 at the Emirates before a more routine 2-0 success over relegation-threatened Leicester City.