Eddie Howe names the one summer addition he is ‘delighted’ with – it’s not Lewis Hall

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Newcastle United have made changes throughout the club in recent months.

Since Newcastle’s takeover in 2021, there has been a massive overhaul to club figures both on and off the pitch.

In recent months, Paul Mitchell was appointed Newcastle’s sporting director but is still yet to make a big impact in the transfer market. Fans will be hoping that January will be a different story, although the Magpies are still yet to confirm a senior signing in the window.

Higher up the club, Newcastle announced the appointment of Jacobo Solis who has joined the club’s board of directors.

The Magpies are in great spirits thanks to their fantastic run of form in recent weeks. Eddie Howe is looking for his 10th straight win as Newcastle welcomes AFC Bournemouth to St James’ Park on Saturday.

For the majority of the season, Howe has been able to field his strongest starting XI. Something he couldn’t do for much of last season. In the Champions League, Howe was forced to use players from Newcastle’s academy as there were several notable absentees through injury.

It’s a completely different story this season. A lot of the success can go down to one man who was brought into the club in the summer. Howe is incredibly pleased with his work so far.

Eddie Howe credits James Bunce for his work at Newcastle

James Bunce was appointed Newcastle’s performance director in July shortly after Mitchell took his post at the club. Bunce joined on the recommendation of Mitchell who he has built a strong working relationship with in recent years.

Bunce was brought in to work with Howe to ensure that only players who are in the right physical condition can play.

Howe took his pre-match press conference on Friday, which was aired on Newcastle’s website. He was asked about how much the smaller number of injuries has helped him during Newcastle’s run of form.

“I think it’s a challenge that’s ongoing,” he said.

“I think the schedule of games is different to last year. The games we had last year, especially around December hit us hard

“I think we’ve managed certain situations better this year. Everyone deserves congratulations in the medical team, sports science team. James Bunce has come in and had a really positive impact, so I’m delighted with how that’s working.

“But the challenge of that never stops. We have picked up injuries to important players but then other players have stepped up and minimised that absence. That’s always what you’re looking to do, now we miss Harvey (Barnes), missing Callum (Wilson) for the length of time we have has been a huge blow, missing Nick (Pope) who has been incredibly important to us.

“But that’s where we can credit the players who have been fit because they have taken on the burden and done really well.”

Barnes picked up an injury in Newcastle’s win against Bromley on Sunday which has ruled him out for a month. Pope and Wilson are both nearing returns, the latter looks set to be fit again for the second leg of the Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal at St James’ Park in February.

Newcastle’s injury list last season was shocking

In Newcastle’s most important season in over 20 years, injuries hampered what was truly possible for Howe’s side.

Newcastle were knocked out of the Champions League in the group stages, went out in the quarter-finals of both domestic cups and missed out on European football thanks to Manchester United’s FA Cup win.

If it weren’t for the number of injuries Newcastle had throughout the season. They could’ve been playing in Europe.

On top of that, Sandro Tonali missed the majority of the season through his suspension. Newcastle were well and truly down to the bare bones.