Howe tries to find the right balance

MAGPIES BOSS ON TEAM SELECTION AS THEY LOOK TO NAIL PLACE IN LAST 16

- By LEE RYDER

NEWCASTLE United boss Eddie Howe has explained that he took a cautious approach with some of his first-team stars ahead of their playoff clash with Qarabag in the Champions League.

Howe watched on as Sven Botman and Yoane Wissa trained but, during an open session - watched by UEFA rights holders at Benton - there was no sign of Sandro Tonali or Anthony Gordon.

Howe indicated that it probably won't impact his plans for the concluding leg of their playoff for the last 16.

When asked on Wissa and Botman being involved, Howe, speaking at his Press conference, said: “We hope so, we will wait and see how they wake up tomorrow but fingers crossed both will be involved.”