Newcastle striker Woltemade has been 'first class', says Howe

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe says there is more to come with the record signing of Nick Woltemade, but he is delighted with the striker's Premier League debut.

With big signings this summer struggling to make an impact at their new clubs, and fellow Newcastle player Yoane Wissa yet to feature for the Magpies, Woltemade shone.

Member of the board of directors of Bayern Munich Karl-Heinz Rummenigge called Newcastle 'idiots' for shelling out £69m for the big striker, but he has scored six goals in nine starts for his new club.

“We’re really happy with Nick,” Howe said.

“On and off the pitch he was first class. The way he carried himself, the way he handled movement, the way he greeted his teammates.

“His team ethic is excellent. He has an ability to score goals, an ability to be in the right position. Technically he is very good.

“We still need to bring out his game more and help him in any way we can, but the first signs are really positive.

“His challenge is consistency and long-term success because teams will obviously make plans for him and he has to continue to find a way to score goals.”

The Magpies head into this weekend's trip to West Ham on the back of three straight wins in all competitions and Howe wants his side to continue.

“It’s only with back-to-back wins, if you look at the standings, that we’re going to propel ourselves again,” he said.

“It's so close. There are a lot of crowded teams around us and you're looking for a positive result to try to elevate yourself. So it's a big game for us.

“All Premier League games are important, but as we head into the next international break, the next two [at West Ham and Brentford] are huge. »