Following Sunday's 2-0 win against Crystal Palace, courtesy of second-half strikes from Bruno Guimarães and Malick Thiaw, the Magpies target a third successive league win for the first time this season but face a stern test against last season's Championship winners, who are unbeaten in their last seven league encounters.

Murphy was withdrawn in the latter stages of last weekend's victory against the Eagles but Howe admitted the right winger has avoided a "major injury", although the Magpies head coach will remain without Anthony Elanga for the home clash against Daniel Farke's men, who remains sidelined with a knee injury.

Here are some of the boss' main talking points from Tuesday's pre-match media briefing at the Newcastle United Media Centre...

On Murphy and Elanga's fitness...

"He's (Jacob) had a scan. No major injury there so I think it was probably fatigue. His physical numbers in the game were outstanding. I think he'll be available. It will be a late decision but fingers crossed.

"I don't think he's (Anthony) quite there yet. It's just taking a little bit longer in the final stages than we'd hoped. It won't be long."

On Joe Willock, who suffered racist abuse on Instagram following Sunday's victory against Crystal Palace...

"I really felt for Joe to read that and absorb the words that were sent to him. His reaction was first class. It's such a shame that any football player or any individual has to read those words and I can't support him enough and give him love at this moment."

On Fabian Schär, with the Swiss defender reaching 250 club appearances last weekend...

"It's some effort from Fabian. He continues to impress. I think he's an unbelievable character. When you work with him everyday, he's cool, calm and collected but you see on the pitch in his body language and demeanour that he's someone that cares so deeply about the football club and what he does.

"He's been such an important player for us over the last few seasons. His technical skills are quite obvious when you watch him play. He's got that big heart that every defender needs [and] puts his body on the line continually for us.

"I think he's been outstanding. What a signing for the football club and great to see him still going and playing so well."

On aiming to build momentum...

"A good feeling after the Crystal Palace game. It was a big win for us, tough opposition and a tight game. Pleased to come out on the right side of it and I think, with another home game to come, it's a great thing for us. We love these evening games."

On Leeds United, winless in their last seven Premier League away games...

"They've come back into the Premier League and done really well. I think the first game we had against them, we saw very early in the season how strong they could be this year. I thought they were really good that day and it's a tough game for us. Daniel (Farke) has done a really good job.

"Last year, they got promoted off the back of really expansive, entertaining football and now into the Premier League where they've done well defensively and looked solid which is a huge compliment for any team coming up because it's so difficult to defend and keep clean sheets.

"They've also had the ability to score goals and look quite creative so a good unbeaten run for them, being good away from home."

On Lewis Miley, who has started the Magpies' last five competitive matches at right-back...

"I'm so impressed with Lewi. I've said this countless times in the last few weeks. To play a position that he hadn't played before in the manner that he has is real credit to his football understanding and ability to take on new information and absorb that really quickly, being able to execute that under pressure has been a huge boost for the team at a time where we didn't have another player for that position.

"We'll take it on a game-by-game basis. Lewi's done really well, especially on the ball the other day in some really tight areas, getting out of some difficult spots with his range and good touch."