It is always dangerous to read too much into a World Cup, but there have been some encouraging signs for Newcastle United. Although Anthony Elanga and Yoane Wissa have bowed out, with Sweden and DR Congo, the pair looked more like the players Newcastle were convinced to spend £110m on last summer. Head coach Eddie Howe had backed Elanga and Wissa to be better for the experience of a challenging first season on Tyneside and he will hope they can take this renewed form back to St James' Park.
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