LEEDS V NEWCASTLE

HOWE TO LOSE FRIENDS

- BY LEE RYDER

EDDIE HOWE has backed his Newcastle stars to cope with the pressure-cooker atmosphere that awaits them at Elland Road.

The winless Magpies go into the clash against Leeds knowing that they face a cauldron of hostility with Howe ready to turn to leaders such as Dan Burn, Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier to deliver an important result.

After attempts to persuade Alexander Isak to stay at St James’ Park failed miserably this week, following talks between owners PIF and the striker, Howe expects his side to be galvanised by the situation.

Speaking ahead of tonight's battle in Yorkshire, Howe, who admitted his squad were rocked by Isak’s actions, said: “My feeling is that the squad dynamic is very strong at the moment.

“I wouldn't have said that in the first two weeks of preseason.

“The players have been through a lot this summer, and there was a lot of distraction, but since then, they've been really strong.