‘I don’t want to’ - Eddie Howe makes Brentford admission ahead of Newcastle United clash

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe is wary of the ‘obvious threats’ possessed by Brentford ahead of Saturday’s meeting of the two sides.

The Magpies have endured a challenging start to the Premier League season, despite kicking off their campaign with a 5-1 demolition of Aston Villa. Since that win, Howe’s men have failed to pick up points from a home game against 10-man Liverpool and away trips to treble winners Manchester City and in-form Brighton.

That left the Champions League qualifiers sat in the lower half of the Premier League table ahead of the international break and Brentford will hope to extend that run of poor form when they visit St James Park on Saturday afternoon.

The Bees remain unbeaten in the Premier League after winning one and drawing three of their opening four fixtures - but will have to turn the tide of history after failing to win an away league game against Newcastle since a 5-2 victory at St James Park in September 1934.

Howe described Thomas Frank’s side as ‘a very dangerous opponent’ - but believes his side can pick up a first win in four games if they ‘return to their highest level of performance’.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Magpies boss said: “I think it’s a game we want to do well in and we understand the game we are in - but I don’t want to build it up any more than it is really.

“It’s a game we have to approach in the right way, it’s a difficult game, a very dangerous opponent and they’ve got good skills, a good way of playing and their obvious threats.

“But for us, we have to return to our highest level of performance and if we do I would back us to get the job done. The challenges aren’t going to go away this season. All through pre-season we had tough fixtures, we had tough fixtures at the start of the season, but the competitions we are in, there are no easy games.

“So you have to respond, you have to grow to the challenge.”

Howe is hoping for positive news on injuries suffered by defender Sven Botman and midfield duo Elliot Anderson and Sandro Tonali.