Malick Thiaw News: Will be part of squad

Thiaw will be part of the squad for Saturday's season opener against Aston Villa, coach Eddie Howe said in the press conference. "Malick [Thiaw] will be part of the squad, he has trained two days, never easy coming in at the end of pre-season, but he's doing well."

Thiaw will be part of the squad for Saturday's season opener against the Villains, just four days after joining the Magpies. The defender has trained well over the past two days and is fit to make his first appearance with his new club. That said, he will have to compete for a starting role under coach Eddie Howe, as Fabian Schar and Dan Burn are not easy to displace in central defense.