Newcastle vs West Ham LIVE commentary: Howe dealing with more injury troubles ahead of Hammers clash – kick-off time, team news and talkSPORT coverage

Newcastle welcome West Ham to St James’ Park this Saturday lunchtime, exclusively live on talkSPORT.

The Magpies are struggling to reach the high standards they set last season and are now at threat of dropping into the bottom half. 

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Eddie Howe’s side are 10th in the Premier League and face a tough battle to qualify for European football again.

Injuries have played a part in their struggles and the Hammers will be aiming to take advantage of them as they aim to make it five unbeaten. 

Newcastle vs West Ham: Isak on the move? 

Alexander Isak has been speaking about his future at Newcastle while on international duty with Sweden this week. 

Arsenal are reportedly still keeping tabs on him, with the club known to be in the market for a physical centre-forward this summer.

​​Isak claimed he had not ‘even thought’ about leaving the Magpies soon, but did admit anything could happen once the window opens.

The 24-year-old said: “It doesn’t affect me that much. It has been talked about many times, in many windows.

“I see it as just such a thing. Everyone knows that summer is coming and, if things show up, things can happen, but I actually haven’t even thought about it.”

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Newcastle vs West Ham: Team news 

Lewis Miley has become the latest Newcastle player to pick up an injury. 

The 17-year-old suffered a back problem on international duty and is expected to be out for over a month. 

He will join Sven Botman, Callum Wilson, Joelinton and Nick Pope on the sidelines with all of those stars out long-term. 

Kieran Trippier, Harvey Barnes and Valentino Livramento should be back for the game. 

As for West Ham, Edson Alvarez will serve a suspension for 10 yellow cards. 

Mohammed Kudus was carrying a knock but he should be fit to play while Maxwell Cornet is also set to be fine. 

Lucas Paqueta started both games for Brazil this international break and it could be a risk to start him again this weekend.

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Newcastle vs West Ham: What has been said? 

talkSPORT’s Simon Jordan has insisted that Howe deserves another season at Newcastle after what he has achieved.

Toon have not looked the same side that finished in the top four last season, suffering from an increase in matches this year.

And there has been talk that Howe could be replaced at the end of the season with the Toon struggling to finish in the top 10 – let alone the top four.

However, Jordan believes that Newcastle would be foolish to let the English coach go so soon after what he has achieved and believes he has earned another year at least.

He said: “I think he merits another opportunity to continue the building. I think Newcastle will finish inside the top 10.

“It is not a success compared to what they had the previous season but it is a degree of stability.

“If they can launch off that and buy better players to continue their progress, then I think he is worthy of another season.

“But I still maintain the same view, that if the ultimate aim, if Amanda Staveley wants to open her mouth and tell people that they are going to win everything, she needs to describe how they will do that.”

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Newcastle vs West Ham: talkSPORT coverage 

This Premier League clash will take place on Saturday, March 30. 

Kick-off at St. James’ Park is scheduled for 12:30pm. 

talkSPORT will have live coverage of the game presented by Reshmin Chowdhury. 

Commentary will come from Adam Bridge and former England striker Dean Ashton.