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Eddie Howe has cautioned that Newcastle's record signing Nick Woltemade will require time to settle into Premier League soccer following his transfer from Stuttgart.
Woltemade was signed by Newcastle to help fill the void left by Alexander Isak, who eventually completed his sensational move to Liverpool on transfer deadline day. Isak is part of Sweden's squad for this month's international games.
Woltemade spearheaded Germany's attack on Thursday, but his nation suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to Slovakia in a World Cup qualifier, with media commentators describing his display as "almost invisible." A bold headline in Germany's leading publication, Bild, on Friday also declared: "Historic Germany embarrassment".
Germany takes on Northern Ireland in Cologne on Sunday in a crucial Group A encounter, but it remains uncertain whether Woltemade will feature in the squad.
Howe is keen to have Woltemade return to headquarters as he awaits patiently to begin preparations for the encounter at St. James' Park against Wolves next weekend.
The Magpies manager is not anticipating immediate wonders from his substantial investment and remarked: "There will be a period of adjustment, so we all have to be very understanding of that. It is difficult for players to just to come in.
"He has not had a preseason with us, and I love every player to experience that because your learning is a lot quicker.
"But I think he has qualities that translate across anyway, he is very good technically. He is very good around the box, he scores goals, and I think that will translate."
Howe is anticipated to hand Woltemade and fellow newcomer Yoane Wissa, who arrived from Brentford on deadline day, their maiden experience of a packed St. James' Park against Wolves as Newcastle seeks to secure its first win of the season.
Newcastle entered the international break hovering just above the drop zone, and Howe is keen to return to action.
The Newcastle head coach said: "There is a huge frustration as we know we are judged against everything we deliver. And that is why the players have handled it all really well, it would have been very easy for them to feel differently about the situation.
"They have taken ownership of their own performances, they have viewed it absolutely brilliantly."
Howe also believes that the Isak saga, which stretched on for 55 days, has examined his squad's character.
Howe said: "I don't think every squad would have been able to blank it out and carry on and make the team grow from the experience. "That is always the challenge we have to be better for what happened and not succumb to it, that is the challenge ahead now."
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