Eddie Howe talks up Gary O'Neil with 'dangerous' Wolves admission

Eddie Howe has admitted Wolverhampton Wanderers bring a fear factor for Newcastle United ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash between the two sides at St. James' Park.

Wolves are now ahead of the Magpies in the standings following the 1-0 win over Sheffield United last Sunday and that lead could extend to four points with another victory. Howe's side have endured a painless four-game winless streak on home soil, too, meaning the likelihood of that happening is higher than what you'd usually expect at St. James'.

“They will bring a counter-attacking threat, they play a fluid style, Gary O'Neil has done a brilliant job. They are very good away from home, dangerous opponents for us," Howe admitted during Friday's pre-match press conference. "But we are confident going into the game," the 46-year-old insisted.

Newcastle will be desperate to win at home, with the last win on Tyneside coming against Fulham on December 16. If history is anything to go off, the home fans could have something to cheer as Wolves have won just once at St. James' in their last eight attempts. The last victory was against Rafael Benitez's Toon in December 2018.

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O'Neil is well aware of the pressure that comes with facing Newcastle at their quarters. "I’ve been there enough times as a player and as a coach, it’s an incredibly tough place to go and it’ll test your mentality. It’ll test your energy levels, so we’re going to need to find a way to be at our level again," O'Neil said on Wednesday.