Howe on Gordon's fitness, 'constructive' ownership meetings and Brighton

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Saturday's Premier League game against Brighton at St James' Park (15:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Howe said a late call will be made on Anthony Gordon, who has missed the past two matches with a hip problem: "He did part of a session on Wednesday. It was great to see him back and on the pitch. He's a player of huge quality and one we've missed. We'll make an assessment on his fitness closer to the game after seeing how he gets through today."
• Howe was asked about an interview given by Yoane Wissa in which the striker admitted he "didn't wait the proper time" when returning from his early-season injury: "Yoane's only issue has been the injury he suffered [in September] and that he hadn't trained before then. When he returned he wasn't physically able to deliver the quality of performance he traditionally has done in the Premier League. There's no doubting the quality of the player, but can we get him in a physical condition to deliver his best performances before the end of the season? That's been the challenge."
• More on Wissa's form: "Since we've returned to full-team training we've seen a big lift in his performances because trying to get him fit with small numbers in training sessions is tough. As long as he continues to show that upward trajectory, we'll see the very best of him in the future."
• When asked about this week's meeting with the club's owners and hierarchy, Howe said: "It was constructive - good meetings. They clearly care so much about the club and the long-term planning going on at a lot of levels shows there is exciting times ahead for the club, regardless of what happens short term. The long-term vision is clearly there."
• Asked whether he felt support personally after the meeting, Howe said: "Yeah - no change in terms of the support, the infrastructure or how people are working. I was pleased by the level of support given to me but, of course, I'm still understanding of how football works and that we need results."
• On clarity over his future: "I've never needed clarity. I'm here, working and committed. That won't change. Obviously, the football club has to do what it needs to do. It has to see we're going in the right direction, there's a positive feeling and that we're fighting on all fronts to try to get results. I'm under no illusions the club needs results."