Eddie Howe delivers key messages ahead of Sunderland v Newcastle derby match

Eddie Howe has been talking ahead of Sunderland v Newcastle United.

The derby match fast approaching on Sunday, a 2pm kick-off on Wearside.

Eddie Howe and his players hoping to make it 13 points from a possible 15 in the Premier League.

It is now more than ten years since Sunderland defeated Newcastle United, here’s to the next decade without that happening…

Newcastle United aiming to be the second team to win on Wearside this season, League One Huddersfield having defeated Sunderland in the Carabao Cup back in August.

Eddie Howe speaking ahead of Sunderland v Newcastle, in the aftermath of the 2-2 draw with Bayer Leverkusen – 10 December 2025:

Eddie Howe on the significance of the derby match

“My first communication to the players on the derby was tonight (after the Bayer Leverkusen game).

“We can’t take our focus away from our next game so the build-up to this game was all about this game and it has to be.

“As soon as the game ends and we focus on the next one, we knew the importance of this game. I had to make that clear to all of the players.

“There will be some new players who maybe don’t understand it as well as others so we’ll use whatever methods we can in the next few days to make sure that everyone enters the pitch fully aware of the importance.

“It will be difficult.

“I think these games always are because there’s a lot of emotion and challenges for the players to overcome to make sure we enter the pitch in the right frame of mind and where we absolutely need to be, which is focussed on how we play and what we need to do.

“The arousal levels are absolutely key because you can be too high or too low.

“I don’t think there will be many too low in preparation for this game but finding that place where the players play at their best is my challenge.

“Of course, you don’t want the players to overthink things. It’s a very important game but we’ve got to focus on our performance so all of these things will be important.

“It’s always about the team but you’re aware of your individual responsibilities.

“It means everything to me personally. I want to do the club, the city and our people proud.

“I want them to be proud of the team and players so that’s my challenge over the next few days.”

Eddie Howe on team news ahead of Sunday’s match

“I am not sure yet whether we will have anyone back [for this Sunderland match].

“There is uncertainty because we’ve still got a couple of days to see how things play out.

“I haven’t really been in contact with these guys for a few days, having travelled out to Germany.”

Eddie Howe on Nick Pope 

“We will have to wait and see [on Nick Pope’s availability for Sunderland].

“I think Nick is the closest of all the players who are currently out.

“But I’m not sure quite how he feels, we’ll have to see.”

Eddie Howe on Yoane Wissa who has been struggling with illness this week

“Yoane can start, but whether he is physically able to and quite how long he can play…are other questions.

“He had a bit of illness earlier in the week, hence why he only got a few minutes [against Bayer Leverkusen].

“That was unfortunate because he was going in the right direction.

“That was a bit of a knockback there but we are all back in training on Thursday and he will get some work.

“Then we will see how he is.”

Eddie Howe on Joelinton who picked up a groin problem and was subbed off against Bayer Leverkusen

“It looks like a groin issue with him.

“Although I don’t know how serious it is at this moment in time.”