Eddie Howe's team news update: Burn, Osula latest ahead of PSV Champions League test | OneFootball

The Magpies have two games remaining in the league phase and are looking for the wins they need to make sure of a top eight finish, which would prevent them from having to navigate the play-offs in order to make it to the last 16.

Dutch giants PSV are United's final home opponents in the first stage of the competition and while head coach Howe said Burn is nearing a comeback from the injury he suffered in December's setback at Sunderland, he won't make it back into the squad for the midweek clash with Peter Bosz's men.

Howe - who also provided an update on Will Osula's availability - spoke to the media on Tuesday ahead of the game. Here are some of the main talking points from his pre-match briefing:

On Burn and Osula's fitness...

"Dan's making really good progress. The journey back he's had, he's pretty much stuck to the timelines we expected but he wont make tomorrow, it's too early.

"Same with Will Osula, this was their first day with the team but hopefully they're not too far away."

On Peter Bosz's PSV side and the task ahead...

"We'll relish the two games we have to come. We have to win the two games in front of us, starting with tomorrow. It's a great game for us.

"PSV are a very good team. I've been impressed in the research we've done on them and the way they've been playing. It's set up to be a great game."

On aiming for the top eight...

"It's a massive incentive because it means less games in a season that we've been stretched physically and mentally. The priority is to qualify however we do that. We're striving every game to maximise what we can deliver. The Marseille game still hurts us a bit because we were in a strong position in that game. "We've got two games left and we have to commit to every game and try to win every game and see where it takes us."

On the Magpies' current form...

"I think since the (November) international break, the Manchester City game, I've seen an upturn in performances generally. We've been much more consistent. In that break we did a lot of work, probably the only time we've been able to train in recent months.

"It's not been perfect, there has been the odd game where we haven't performed to the level we want to but generally much better. Much more like ourselves, scoring goals again. The challenge for us is to maintain that."

On Dutch defender Sven Botman, who recently signed a new deal with the club...

"It's been a tough few months for him, difficult injury problems and setbacks. He's had to show real strength of character because he always wants to play and help the team. He's got great qualities and I think we really, really missed him. It took a long time to adjust to being without him.

"To get him back is a massive lift and I think we're seeing the early signs of him returning to his best levels and hopefully that can stay the same for many years to come."