We must be careful with Nick - boss

EDDIE Howe has responded to those who felt that Nick Woltemade's omission from the recent Barcelona defeat was a selection mistake.

- By LEE RYDER

The Magpies created good early openings against Barca, with neither Anthony Gordon nor Harvey Barnes able to get on the end of them as Woltemade looked on from the bench.

Then, against Bournemouth, with Woltemade back in the team, Newcastle failed to provide any type of service to the big striker.

In explaining Woltemade's rotation, Howe, who may rest the £69m man against Bradford tonight, said: "I would say the concern would be the three games last week, and if I'd pushed him against Barcelona for me that would have been the wrong decision.

"That's where you'd have loved another experienced striker to have come in."