Howe faces a heavy January schedule requiring rotation

Former Newcastle defender John Anderson told BBC Radio Newcastle that Eddie Howe faces nine games across four competitions this January, and Anderson said Howe will prioritise the Premier League and the League Cup while rotating the squad.

Former Newcastle defender John Anderson warned that January will be a busy month for manager Eddie Howe because the club must play nine matches across four competitions. Anderson spoke to BBC Radio Newcastle and outlined how Howe might prioritise competitions amid the heavy schedule. He said the Premier League is the main focus, followed by the League Cup because Newcastle are in a semi-final, with the FA Cup and Champions League lower in the order. Anderson also said the volume of games will force rotation and changes to give players game time. Key facts: - John Anderson made his comments on BBC Radio Newcastle. - Newcastle have nine scheduled matches across four competitions in January. - Anderson said the Premier League is the main priority, then the League Cup, with the FA Cup and Champions League after that. - He said rotation will be necessary because the number of games could take its toll on the squad. - Upcoming fixtures mentioned include Premier League, FA Cup third-round, Carabao Cup semi-final first leg, and Champions League matches against PSV and Paris Saint-Germain. Summary: The packed January fixture list creates a need for squad rotation and selection trade-offs, according to Anderson, with the Premier League and the League Cup seen as the higher priorities. The team will move through a sequence of league, domestic-cup and Champions League fixtures over the month, and how Howe allocates playing time will shape progress in each competition.