Eddie Howe won't talk about the Champions League until Newcastle United are actually in it - and whether that will be this season remains to be seen.
The Toon boss did not follow the lead of his captain Kieran Trippier when asked whether he would allow himself to dream about the top four. Trippier had stated he did not want to "shy away" from talk of dining at Europe's top table next season.
Newcastle go into the last round of fixtures in March hoping to close the gap on Tottenham Hotspur who hold a four-point advantage over them in fourth. United take on Nottingham Forest on Friday night while Spurs face a trip to a doomed looking Southampton outfit.
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When asked about the Champions League and signposted to Trippier's comments, Howe said: "Of course, it’s about what we do and people are obsessed with Europe, but for me it’s about being the best we can be every week and ultimately we will achieve what we deserve to achieve.
"It’s about the small steps, not the end goal. That will take care of itself."
When asked when he would entertain Champions League talk, Howe's answer was a short: "At the end of the season."
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