Howe snappy about Gordon rumours as Newcastle prepare for Everton clash

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/newcastle-utd/p6ahwuwJ/"]Newcastle[/a] host [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/everton/KluSTr9s/"]Everton[/a] at St James' Park on Saturday on the back of reaching the Champions League round of 16 after their playoff triumph against Qarabag.[/p][p]Asked about facing the Toffees, [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/howe-eddie/hbOpz9hE/"]Howe[/a] began: "Difficult game for us. Our defensive mentality has to be improved. [/p][p][b]"It is a big game for us. Everton have done well on their travels; their away form has been good. [/b][/p][p][b]"David’s (Moyes) team is always difficult to score against. Our attacking play has to be really good, and our defensive mentality has to improve.[/b][/p][p]"It is amazing to be back at home. We have to build our rhythm back. It was not the performance we wanted, but the result we needed against Qarabag."[/p][p]Newcastle meet Everton, sitting in 12th position, below the Toffees, who are ninth. [/p][h2]Unsettling our players?[/h2][p]Before tomorrow's clash, Newcastle will learn who they will face in the Champions League later today.[/p][p]Asked about a preference, Howe said: "Whoever we get will be mouth-watering for us."[/p][p]Meanwhile, Howe was also asked about this morning's press reports of Arsenal leading Manchester United and Liverpool in the race for [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/gordon-anthony/EFo95m2P/"]Anthony Gordon[/a].[/p][p][b]Asked if there's a campaign being run against Newcastle to unsettle their best players, the Toon manager replied: "You tell me. It is your industry who is creating those stories. The players need to be robust.[/b][/p][p]"I have seen a good response from everybody - there is a really good feeling among the players. The feeling is high."[/p][p]He also said: "In the age we’re at, there is always rumour and speculation.[/p][p]"I don’t see probably 90% of it. It comes with the territory of being a top player. You have got to put it out of your brain and focus on the football.[/p][p][b]"I have not seen the story, so it is news to me.[/b][/p][p][b]"It is sort of your industry creating those stories. I am slightly secluded to it – if you don’t read it, you don’t know who is being linked with who.[/b][/p][p]"I think it is irrelevant really – it is how the players react to that. I think they will become robust enough to ignore it and concentrate on playing."[/p][embed guid="0284ab28-8542-421a-b160-3cec0f76ebd1" url="https://x.com/NUFC/status/2026809442138788112" social-type="twitter" /][h2][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/miley-lewis/nR5TcNGS/"]Miley[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/livramento-valentino/fkessXOF/"]Livramento[/a] updates[/h2][p]Howe also delivered updates on midfielder Lewis Miley and fullback Tino Livramento, admitting both youngsters may not be seen until well into next month.[/p][p]On Livramento, Howe said: "Tino will be early March, he has done really well. He is back, not with us; he has been running separately."[/p][p][b]And on Miley, who has worn the captain's armband this season, the manager added: "We have to be careful with Lewis, he has had a couple of injections, we are looking at a couple of weeks for him. [/b][/p][p]"If we don’t get the management of this injury right, he could be out for the season." [/p]