Howe dismisses Hasenhuttl’s Newcastle transfer criticism ahead of visit to Southampton

NEWCASTLE: Eddie Howe has dismissed Southampton boss Ralph Hasenhuttl’s Newcastle United transfer jibes ahead of their Premier League meeting.

The Magpies take on the Saints at St Mary’s tomorrow evening, looking to extend their unbeaten run to nine top flight matches.

The fixture was originally due to take place on Jan. 2, but a request from United to postpone it due to a COVID outbreak was accepted by the Premier League.

That decision infuriated Hasenhuttl, whose side were due to face Newcastle when they had won just once in the top flight and were in the midst of a relegation battle.

He made a number of outlandish statements claiming that players the Magpies signed in the January transfer window should not be allowed to play when the fixture came back around.

And, as expected, the rearranged encounter has a whole different complexion, with United seven points clear of the bottom three and having won five of their last six games. Three of the five players Howe signed in winter trading are likely to start on the south coast.

The Newcastle head coach, though, is not worried about what the Austrian has to say, preferring to continue to focus on the things he can control within the United dressing room.

“I didn’t know he made those comments, I’m hearing them from you,” Howe said. “We followed the protocols as did every team. It was unfortunate the game was called off, we wanted to play it. In terms of the signings, the rules are the same for everybody.

“No team talk of mine will be based around that.”

In the aftermath of the call off, an enraged Hasenhuttl told the press: “I was disappointed we couldn’t play, because we have been in good shape.

“I don’t think it is really fair for them (new signings) to play in