Marco Silva Newcastle United Press Conference ahead of this St James’ Park clash | OneFootball

The Marco Silva Newcastle United Press Conference has taken place.

The Fulham boss looking forward to Saturday afternoon.

Marco Silva hoping for home comforts after defeat at Preston in midweek.

The 34 penalty shoot out took the headlines but Fulham fans less than happy that the Marco Silva gamble of changing the entire team backfired.

The Marco Silva Newcastle United press conference:

Marco Silva asked about the injury and availability situation before playing Newcastle United:

“Not good news for Harry Wilson.

“Wilson needs surgery, he’s going to be out for a long period. Maybe 10 weeks.

“[In this transfer window] We are trying to get a player for [the injured] Kenny Tete position [right-back]. We are looking for that position.

“And of course after the injury to Harry Wilson, we are looking for a player in that position too. It doesn’t work in our favour because it’s a very short period of time until the end of the window.

“Reiss Nelson is getting better but is not in contention to return [for this Newcastle match] yet.”

Marco Silva asked about Fulham losing 1-0 at home to Man U in their last match:

“The team should have provided more for the attacking players, a reminder we have to be strong at both ends to get the  results.

“So far we have been able to react to the downs.

“We have found answers to problems.

“We look at all the positives even if we don’t win a game.

“There are areas we should quickly improve in and we’ve worked on that this week.

“We are [usually] really difficult to beat.

“We put pressure on ourselves to reach the standards we set.

“We have quality and we have organisation.”

Marco Silva on the challenge of playing Newcastle United at St James’ Park:

“We have an identity that we don’t change, whether we are away or at home.

“We have to play our way and with courage.

“It is going to be an open game as both sides will try to win.”

Newcastle United upcoming matches:

Saturday 1 February – Newcastle v Fulham (3pm)

Wednesday 5 February – Newcastle v Arsenal (8pm) Sky Sports (League Cup)

Saturday 8 February – Birmingham v Newcastle (5.45pm) BBC1 and BBC iPlayer (FA Cup)

Saturday 15 February – Man City v Newcastle (3pm)

Sunday 23 February – Newcastle v Forest (2pm) Sky Sports

Wednesday 26 February – Liverpool v Newcastle (8.15pm) TNT Sports

(Weekend of Saturday 1 March –  NUFC will play in FA Cup fifth round if getting past Birmingham)

Monday 10 March – West Ham v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports

Saturday 15 March – Newcastle v Crystal Palace (3pm)