Odysseas Vlachodimos transfer truth unearthed and Guardiola's blast at Newcastle United timing

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has insisted that Odysseas Vlachodimos is still very much part of his plans at Benton.

The Greek international was observed by United scouts over the international break after keeping two clean sheets against Finland and the Republic of Ireland in the UEFA Nations League. Vlachodimos arrived as part of the deal that took Elliot Anderson to Nottingham Forest for £35million with suggestions emerging that the Anderson transfer would not have got the green light without Newcastle taking the 30-year-old former Benfica stopper.

However, it is believed that Newcastle had the choice of more than just Vlachodimos and Howe and his goalkeeper coaches Shwan Jalal and Adam Bartlett felt that the Greece star could bring something different to the keeper coaches. Vlachodimos kept close to 100 clean sheets for Benfica including shutouts against Barcelona and PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League.

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Despite talk that Newcastle were forced into the deal for the £20m valued keeper, Howe said: "He's fighting for his place." After being written off before getting his debut close friend Dimitrios Konstantopoulos said: "That will just fire Ody up. He is a motivated character and will just get his head down and work hard."

Howe resisted the temptation to rest and rotate in the last round of the Carabao Cup by playing Nick Pope at the City Ground in the 1-1 draw which Newcastle won on penalties. Vlachodimos was named in Newcastle's 25-man Premier League squad on Friday and Howe must ponder whether to give Martin Dubravka or the Greek stopper a chance to impress at Wimbledon in round three of the competition the week after next.

Newcastle named five keepers in their squad overall with Vlachodimos, John Ruddy, Dubravka, Mark Gillespie and Pope all on board.

Fixtures changes announced for the Magpies

Newcastle's home game with Arsenal will still take place on Saturday, November 2 but the kick-off time has been brought forward to 12:30pm instead of 3pm and the game will be shown live on TNT Sports.

United's trip to face Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Saturday, November 9 will now take place a day later, with kick-off set at 2pm. That game will be shown live on Sky Sports.

United's home game against West Ham was initially scheduled for Saturday, November 23 takes place on Monday, November 25, with the game now set to kick off at 8pm. The game will also be shown live on Sky Sports.

Pep Guardiola vows to get on with crammed fixture list despite early kick-off at St James' Park

The Man City boss must guide his team to three games in just six days against Arsenal, Watford in the Carabao Cup and then Newcastle here on Tyneside.

United's clash with City kicks off at 12.30pm at St James' Park and the champions won't have much of a turnaround between their home encounter with the Hornets on the Tuesday. Yet Newcastle also face a third round tie on that night against Wimbledon meaning it should be reasonably balanced.

Guardiola said: "It is going to happen many times when teams play in all competitions. We prioritised having more rest for Newcastle [and a quicker turnaround from Arsenal to Watford]."