'Come alive again' - Surprise name tipped for possible big role under Howe at Newcastle

Journalist Ciaran Kelly has been speaking on the Everything is Black and White podcast about how Eddie Howe will be wanting to get more out of Emil Krafth during Newcastle United’s run-in.

Krafth could be set for a prolonged run in the first team after first-choice right-back Kieran Trippier fractured a bone in his foot and is set for some time on the sidelines, while second-choice full-back Javier Manquillo also limped off during the club’s victory on Sunday afternoon.

Craig Hope has reported that Howe hopes Manquillo’s injury may not be as severe as first feared, but that doesn’t mean he will be back and ready to play against West Ham United at the London Stadium on Saturday, paving the way for Krafth to get only a seventh start in the league under his belt this season.

Kelly believes that Eddie Howe will be looking to get more from the performances of Krafth, who only averages a 6.33 WhoScred rating in the league this campaign.

He said: “I think you’ve seen a lot of players under Howe who were maybe struggling under Steve Bruce who’ve come alive again – Fabian Schar a prime example; look at Joe Willock recently.

“There are players in there who he’s really got more out of, as much as the new signings have helped. So I think Krafth certainly could be an example of someone who Howe will really look to get more out of.”

TIF Thoughts on Emil Krafth…

The Sweden international has never been a regular since arriving in 2019, racking up just 31 starts in the Premier League. That hasn’t changed under Howe, which may come as no surprise given his apparent unwillingness to pass the ball forward progressively.

This has happened just 11 times this season, while Trippier has done this 16 times in just four appearances, thus helping