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Telling Will Osula 'readiness' comment - Eddie Howe's current stance on striker
EDDIE HOWE claims Will Osula is “readier than he has ever been” to step into the first-team ranks at Newcastle United, and has challenged the youngster to seize the opportunities that are set to come his way as a result of Callum Wilson’s latest injury setback.
Osula joined Newcastle in a £15m deal from Sheffield United in the summer, but has barely been seen since making the switch from Bramall Lane.
The 21-year-old has made four substitute appearances in the Premier League, comprising ten minutes of football, with his only start having come in October’s Carabao Cup win over AFC Wimbledon.
Howe has been extremely reluctant to throw the Danish Under-21 international into the fray, but his stance might have to change in the wake of Wilson’s latest injury, which is set to keep Newcastle’s most experienced striker on the sidelines for around two months.
“We’ve been really impressed with him (Osula),” said Howe, ahead of tomorrow’s crucial Premier League home game with Leicester City. “I think now, with us having worked with him for a few months, he’s readier than he’s ever been. Obviously, with Callum’s injury, he’s going to have to step up and grab any opportunity that comes his way.
“He has all the attributes you need – I think supporters who have watched him play in the brief time that he’s played will have seen that he’s big, he’s very quick and he’s strong, there’s just a refinement that’s needed, and the only thing that can really bring that is time. But he’s certainly getting there.”
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While Osula has not had much game time in the last three months, he has been working on a number of individually-tailored drills to get him up to speed with the demands of playing in the Premier League.
The youngster made 21 top-flight appearances with Sheffield United last season, but Howe and the rest of Newcastle’s coaching staff clearly felt he was not at the level needed for regular Premier League action when he arrived in the North-East in the summer.
“I just think it’s a huge jump for him, in every way, naturally,” said Howe. “I’ve been really, really impressed by him. His attitude to learning is top. He’s there with a variety of coaches after training every day, working on his game.
“I think that’s the thing – there’s not one thing for Will. It’s not a case of trying to fix or improve this or that – it’s just the time that’s needed to improve all aspects of his game and his understanding. You don’t suddenly just land and become a Premier League striker, you have to work towards that as a young player, and he’s making great strides.”
