Eddie Howe has warned his Newcastle United players that he will be 'ruthless' this summer as the Magpies' head coach makes some 'difficult' decisions about the future of his squad.
Although wholesale changes are not expected at Newcastle next season - the message is evolution rather than revolution - Howe will need to create space for new signings. Newcastle's current 25-man squad is already full and Ciaran Clark, Isaac Hayden and Jamal Lewis were left out to make room for the club's January arrivals.
A number of players departed on loan in the mid-season window, including Jeff Hendrick and Freddie Woodman, but no first-teamer has left the club on a permanent basis since Howe took charge. Newcastle, as a result, are running at about 65% when it comes to wages to turnover, which even part-owner Amanda Staveley admitted was 'probably too high', but there will be departures in the summer.
