LEIF Davis believes Eddie Howe will be "good for Newcastle", adding how his new Cherries teammates have explained what an "intense coach" he is.

Davis, currently on loan from Leeds United, was born on Tyneside and used to have a season ticket at St James' Park.

While he is now living 350 miles away for a season on the south coast, Davis's family remain avid Newcastle United fans.

The Magpies have made headlines across the world in recent months, following the takeover of the club by Saudi Arabian consortium PIF.

They then sacked boss Steve Bruce last month, paving the way for Cherries legend Howe to return to management this week, taking his place.

It is Howe's first job since leaving Cherries in August 2020, and despite the club's newfound wealth, he must first guide them to Premier League safety.

Newcastle currently sit 19th in the table, five points from safety and without a win from their opening 11 matches.

And while Davis has not played under Howe, he believes his hometown will benefit from the Cherries hero's arrival, having spoken to those who knew him from his highly successful time in Dorset.

Asked if he grew up a Newcastle fan, the 21-year-old told the Daily Echo: "Yeah, obviously I used to go and watch the games. I used to have a season ticket at Newcastle for years.

"Grew up watching them, my family die for Newcastle. So I was watching Newcastle week in, week out when I was younger."

Quizzed on the excitement on Tyneside after the developments over the past few months, Davis added: "Yeah, definitely. But they need to change things around quite soon if they want to stay up. Yeah they’ve got the money, but they can’t spend any money at the minute. I didn’t work with Eddie, but from what I’ve heard he’ll do a really good job.

"A lot of the lads (at Cherries) say he’s an intense coach, like the gaffer (Scott Parker).

"He’ll get them doing all sorts, but it will be good for them.

"It will be good for Newcastle and it will be good for him, getting back into management and I hope he does well."

For Davis, the move to Cherries represents his first move to the south of the country, having grown up in Newcastle, and come through the youth ranks at Morecambe before moving to Leeds in 2018.

And he admits this switch does make it hard for his family to come and watch him in action.

"It’s tough. It’s a long way from home," he said.

"It’s difficult for them to travel down, but hopefully they can come soon."

Discussing life on the south coast, Davis added: "It’s a different environment. The past few days the sun has been here but it’s been a little bit cold.

"But when I ask my parents back home, it’s always raining!

"So it’s a change for me, living back next to the coast, where I’m from Newcastle on Whitley Bay, which is on the coast. But when I was at Leeds it was mainland.

"But back on the coast, I enjoy it."