Newcastle United headlines: Dan Ashworth latest and Eddie Howe selection dilemma

Your Newcastle United evening headlines for Friday, April 8.

Eddie Howe has several selection headaches ahead of tonight’s game against Wolves. A heavy defeat against Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday means he may be tempted to change the backline, with Dan Burn and Fabian Schar two mainstays in recent months.

In midfield, Joe Willock’s knee struggle makes him a doubt, meaning Bruno Guimaraes could feature after starting on the bench against Spurs. The Toon’s toothless attack - which has not scored from open play in over five hours - is also in the firing line. Chris Wood has struggled for form and Allan Saint-Maximin returned last weekend but Miguel Almiron, Jacob Murphy and Dwight Gayle are all chomping at the bit for game time.

Brighton are refusing to budge on their demands to allow Dan Ashworth to join Newcastle early, ChronicleLive understands. The former Seagulls sporting director resigned in February amid speculation he will take up a similar role on Tyneside.

However, recent reports revealed that Ashworth - who was director of elite development at the FAfor six years - must serve a ninth-month notice and may not be eligible to join Newcastle until November. The move serves as a blow to the Magpies’ transfer strategy but a contingency plan is in place, with Steve Nickson given a prominent role like he was in January.

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Howe has claimed he would have taken the Newcastle job during the Mike Ashley era. National journalists have grilled the Toon boss on the Magpies’ controversial Saudi-backed owners on several occasions since the October takeover.

Howe’s preference to deflect questions and focus on football matters saw him criticised following last month’s 1-0 defeat to Chelsea.