Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Tuesday's Champions League knockout phase play-off second leg against Qarabag at St James' Park (kick-off 20:00 GMT).
Here are the key lines from his news conference:
- Howe is hopeful Sven Botman and Yoane Wissa will be involved on Tuesday, but they will have to "see how they wake up tomorrow" before making a decision. He also confirmed those not out in training on Monday, including Anthony Gordon, were just working indoors.
- With a 6-1 lead going into the second leg, the Newcastle boss said he will "possibly" rotate the squad but they will still "pick a strong team" to win the game, adding: "It's a really delicate balance we have got between rotating the squad and making sure everyone's fresh, to winning the game and also making sure players don't lose rhythm and we don't lose the good feeling that we've had."
- On the importance of their Champions League results with the inconsistency in the Premier League: "I think we have sort of saved our best for that competition. A lot was made of the result at Qarabag, but for me, it wasn't the result, it was the performance, the manner and the hunger we showed in that game all the way through to deliver a really, really good performance. That's the the highest level I think we've played at this season."
- Howe said reaching the last-16 was their "initial target" before the competition began: "When you are at that point of the competition, I think anything can happen. We back ourselves in cup ties, one-off games. That seems to have brought out the best of the squad this year."
- On missing the suspended Malick Thiaw, who has started the past 38 matches: "It's going to be a blow for us. I said that when the suspension was confirmed. A big loss for us at the heart of our defence. He has been a model of consistency, and his recent games have been some of his strongest of the season. He's been superb and been an incredible signing for us."
- Asked whether forward Nick Woltemade's move to a deeper role could bring a similar transformation to Joelinton's in midfield, he responded: "No, I wouldn't necessarily say so. I can understand why you would ask the question, but I'd say Nick was always in our thoughts very much as a deep-lying player. Deep-lying number nine. All his best work came from starting higher and coming lower. Now, just starting lower and staying in the middle line, I don't think is a great change."
- He added: "He does have a freedom on the ball to take up central positions, he has the freedom to drift to a degree across the pitch, so it's not a stranglehold by the position in one place."
Listen to full commentary of Newcastle v Qarabag on Tuesday from 20:00 GMT on BBC Sounds