Howe on Tonali, 'top test' Dortmund and Ritchie's role

Howe confirmed that Sandro Tonali is fit and available, Joe Willock is getting closer but not ready yet and Sven Botman remains out.

Asked about the uncertainty around Tonali with the ongoing gambling investigation, Howe said: "I think I'm in a position where I will plan like that until told differently. I can’t second guess what is going to happen but he has trained today and is available."

On how the midfielder was after Saturday's match, he said: "It was emotional at the end for him, I think that was clear for everybody to see. But I think that after the game that will help in the long-term because he will always be able to reflect back into that love that he got in that moment from the supporters when he needed."

Howe feels his side need to "forget" PSG result and "take the confidence from it, but try to create that atmosphere all over again and for us try to re-create those intensity levels and quality of our play to try to win the game."

He acknowledges the team have "made a good start, but we can't get ahead of ourselves" as they face "top test" Dortmund.

He added: "This is a pivotal game in the group. We know the task at hand, we know it isn’t going to be easy. We have to use everything in our armoury to try and win the game. The crowd is going to be key and our performance is going to be key."

On Matt Ritchie's role behind the scenes, he said: "Matty's been a role model for a lot of the players in how you conduct yourself every day, his attitude has been first class. He is very loud on the training pitch, a real leader so you need characters like that who bring the energy and the enthusiasm to training, that's a really good thing to see from Matty."

Howe said he is "really pleased" with where Alexsander Isak is at, but asked whether choosing between him and Callum Wilson is any easier, he said: "I think the beauty of it is that this year compared to last year is the amount of games we have, sometimes the decision is made for you. Both players are in different stages of their careers, with the amount of games we have it’s nice to pick and choose the games for the players."