Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is looking forward to facing Bournemouth on Saturday.
Howe spent 11 years as Bournemouth manager over two spells, taking the club from the bottom of League Two to the Premier League.
“I personally feel a huge sense of gratitude to the club and everyone connected with it. I wouldn’t be sat here now if it wasn’t for AFC Bournemouth,” he said. “We’ll be competing to win the game and are desperate to do so but it will be a special game for us.”
Howe says Jonjo Shelvey is progressing well in his comeback from a thigh problem but will make a late call on Bruno Guimaraes, Allan Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson.
“Everyone has improved but I’ll leave my team-news until the time we get it,” he said. “It’s been a slightly difficult period for us but hopefully we’re coming out of that. They [Guimaraes, Saint-Maximin and Wilson] are big players for us and we need them back quickly.
“Jonjo is making good progress. He’s out on the grass running and he’s looking good. He’s in a really good physical condition and he’s looking after himself so hopefully it wont be too long.
“The injury to Darlow – he was just in training doing normal shot action but he twisted his ankle. With that, we decided it was wise to move for someone with experience who could compliment the goalkeepers we have. He’s come in and trained very well.”
