Newcastle United headlines: Everton team news, Howe's record and Simon Jordan's Saudi questions

A look at the latest Newcastle United evening headlines on Tuesday, 15 March.

Everton could be without five first-team players for Thursday’s crucial Premier League clash against Newcastle United. While the Magpies face an injury crisis of their own, the pressure is off at Goodison Park as an impressive run of form gives them a nine-point cushion between themselves and the bottom three.

However, the heat has cranked up a notch on Merseyside as eight defeats in their last nine games means only goal difference is keeping the Toffees above the drop zone. Frank Lampard faces a tense wait to see whether star striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin can feature.

The England striker missed last weekend’s 1-0 defeat against Wolves with an illness and the Everton boss simply said “we will see” when asked whether he will play against Newcastle. Getting the 24-year-old fit and scoring goals is imperative to the Toffees' survival hopes. Calvert-Lewin has only made nine top-flight appearances in 2021/22, with a fractured toe ruling him out for the first half of the season.

It is safe to say that Eddie Howe has done a terrific job since taking over at Newcastle United in November. The 44-year-old replaced Steve Bruce in the dugout with the Magpies without a win from their opening 11 matches.

However, Howe has completely revolutionised the mood around the club and the Magpies seemingly look like staying in the Premier League given their recent form. They currently sit 14th, nine points clear of the relegation zone heading into the final 10 matches.

A factor behind the Magpies' up-turn in fortunes is how well they managed to recruit in the January transfer window. Chris Wood, Matt Targett, Dan Burn, Bruno Guimaraes Kieran Trippier made the