I won't be saving any players for the derby, says Howe

BUT I WON'T BE DOING A PARDEW EITHER, INSISTS BOSS

- By LEE RYDER

EDDIE Howe says he refused to entertain the idea of resting key players for the clash with Bayer Leverkusen tonight or leaving key stars at home with Wearside in mind.

Instead, Howe argued that the best way to keep his team fit and firing for Sunderland on Sunday was by getting them on the pitch in the Champions League.

The head coach said that anybody comparing the current situation with the ill-fated Europa League ties in 2013, which almost saw Newcastle relegated, should move on and “draw a line” through the history books.

Although Alan Pardew will vouch that putting all his eggs in the European basket cost him dear as the Magpies crashed to a horrendous 3-0 home defeat to Sunderland that year.

Howe, speaking at the pre-match Press conference in Germany ahead of the clash with Bayer Leverkusen, was reminded of Pardew’s big gamble that failed, but told the Chronicle: “That puts a line through that one! It didn’t work.