It's weekend notebook time again as we assess some of the big talking points of the week at St James' Park
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Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe and sporting director Ross Wilson
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Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe admits there is no sign of a return from injury for Emil Krafth - but has explained why he must stay patient with teenager Leo Shahar.
The 18-year-old, signed from Wolves as a kid, has not made a single appearance this season despite being a mainstay in the squad during injuries for Krafth and Tino Livramento.
After Trippier was caught out of position against Brentford, there were some calls for Howe to turn to younger players, with Shahar's name mentioned in those discussions.
When asked about Krafth's comeback from a knee injury, with just 13 games left of the season, Howe addressed both players and said: "Emil at the moment is not close. Leo is developing well, I think I have got to be really careful. It is very easy for people to see the name and think he is a full-back and to put him in, but I have to be mindful of when players are ready to play.
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"All Leo can do is keep developing his game and train really well. I will have to make that decision when I feel he is ready to play at the level we are playing at.
"Leo, from what I see and what I know, believes in himself and backs himself and I think he has real potential."
Newcastle target commits to long-term deal
The Magpies were alerted to the form of Igor Thiago back in October after the Brazilian made a flying start to the season. Since then Thiago's form at Brentford has got better and better with 18 goals to his name with the 24-year-old picking up Premier League player of the month to boot.
However, with Brentford well aware that Premier League rivals like him, the Bees have been proactive by handing him a deal to 2031 with the option of a further year. An ecstatic Thiago said: “I love the club and the people in the club. It’s a true love, a real love.
"In the beginning, when I first came, I had the injury. The staff and the people around the training ground were helping me and supporting me.
"When the fans support me, and I see them singing my name and singing my song, it gives me more power. I’m really happy for all of the love they have given to me. It means so much."
The new deal does not mean clubs won't still be interested but it puts Brentford in a stronger position over his fee. And as Newcastle found out last summer, the Bees are tough sellers as they demanded £55m for 29-year-old Yoane Wissa.
United recruitment team put current first XI under the microscope
Newcastle's top scouts all gathered on Tyneside last weekend for a four-day conference and meetings with sporting director Ross Wilson.
Wilson wanted to look back on the last six months and plan ahead to the big summer window, where Newcastle could splash out £200m or more on new players. After in-house meetings and a speech from CEO David Hopkinson, who is believed to have spoken about his ambitions for the club, the scouts then took in Newcastle's 3-2 defeat against Brentford at St James' Park from an executive area.
It was clear that Newcastle are still building a side that includes five outfield signings but nobody at the club needs to be reminded there is plenty of room for improvement with United now behind their points tally from 12 months ago. After 26 games last term, Newcastle were on 41 points on their way to the Champions League, but they now sit on 36.
United suffered a barren January window but the feeling behind the scenes is that the Magpies are keeping "powder dry" for the summer trading period. As reported here last Saturday, Newcastle want at least four new senior stars.
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