PREM: Newcastle v Bournemouth preview

Newcastle v Bournemouth preview

Eddie Howe will hope to avoid any manager of the month curses when he takes his Bournemouth side to Newcastle United on Saturday.

The Cherries boss has led his side to a remarkable sixth position in the Premier League table after 11 games, and secured three league wins from five during October.

Newcastle, on the other hand, have only one win all season, albeit in their last game, against Watford, and have just five points across the campaign so far.

Howe's side go into the game at St James' Park as slight favourites, but one thing that will not be on Howe's mind when he enters the dugout on Saturday will be his latest award.

He said: "It's never an individual award. One person alone does nothing but together with the team of staff and players I have, who have been incredible this season to this point, that's how you achieve things.

"It's one point in a season and we have to make sure we focus on the games we have coming up. They are going to be hugely important but it 's a reward for the whole club.

"I'm very proud of the team. We know how difficult it is to consistently get positive results at this level. The challenge you face from other teams is very strong."

Rafa Benitez said his Newcastle side need to improve in the final third after netting just seven times in the Premier League so far this season, but is optimistic about their chances against a Bournemouth side including Callum Wilson, who has just been handed his first England call-up for his goalscoring form.

He said: "It is important for us to remember that we had chances against Manchester United and Brighton, but didn't take them. We had fewer chances against Watford, but scored.

"We have been quite consistent in terms of the balance between attacking and defending, we just have to improve in the final third.

"After an important win, everyone is a bit happier. Hopefully, we can carry on with the same feeling after the next game."

Bournemouth will hand a late fitness test to Joshua King ahead of the Premier League game at Newcastle.

The Norway international has missed the Cherries' last three matches due to an ankle injury but has returned to training this week.

Manager Howe has no fresh selection issues and could stick with the same team which were narrowly beaten by Manchester United.

Newcastle are likely to be without Jamaal Lascelles, Jonjo Shelvey and Yoshinori Muto.

Lascelles (shoulder), Shelvey (muscle injury) and Muto (calf) all left the pitch during last weekend's 1-0 win over Watford and although Lascelles has done some light training, the other two have not and all three are major doubts.

Manager Rafael Benitez otherwise has only defender Florian Lejeune on the long-term casualty list as he continues his recovery from a knee ligament injury.