Eddie Howe admits ‘lot is riding’ on Newcastle v Brighton after meeting with Saudi owners

Eddie Howe said he was ‘pleased by the level of support given to me’ by the club’s owners at a meeting this week. Photograph: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United/Getty Images

Eddie Howe has emerged from a meeting with Newcastle’s Saudi Arabian owners confident he retains their support but also acutely aware that such backing is finite, with the manager admitting “a lot is riding” on Saturday’s visit of Brighton.

Howe will aim to end a run of five straight defeats against Fabian Hürzeler’s side at St James’ Park and is under no illusion of the significance of the task ahead. “We need a win,” admitted Newcastle’s manager. “There’s a lot riding on this weekend for us. You can talk as much as you want but the proof is in how the team performs. I’m under no illusion that needs to be positive.”