Howe says 'we need to perform' after early setbacks

Newcastle urged to use Arsenal loss as motivation for Union Saint-Gilloise trip

- Louise Taylor

Eddie Howe has demanded his underachieving Newcastle players show their quality against the Belgian champions, Union Saint-Gilloise, in Brussels tonight.

“This will be a good challenge at a time in the season when we need to perform,” Howe said. “It will be an important game in our Champions League journey - and a tough one.”

Newcastle’s European odyssey began on a losing note at home against Barcelona two weeks ago amid a slow start to a season that has brought only one Premier League win. Howe’s players arrived here after the bruising 2-1 home defeat against Arsenal on Sunday with their manager demanding a response.

“The Arsenal game should be a motivator not a hangover,” he said. “We need to use that as motivation.”

Howe would not give an update on the knee injury that led to the England fullback Tino Livramento being carried off. Newcastle are seeking a specialist second opinion and the manager chose not to share the first consultant’s assessment.

“That could be a mistake,” he said. “I’d rather wait.”

On a more encouraging note, the central defender Fabian Schär has recovered from concussion to return to the squad for a meeting with a sleeping giant reawakened.