A look at the latest Newcastle United evening headlines on Friday, April 21.
Newcastle United takeover at KV Oostende would 'be welcomed' by city officials
The proposed takeover of KV Oostende from Newcastle United's owners would be welcomed according to the mayor of Ostend, according to reports in Belgium. Bart Tommelein has gone one step further and offered to mediate any potential talks between the two parties.
The Magpies are among a number of reported interested parties in taking over the Belgian club. KV Oostende were recently relegated from the Belgian top tier and their current American owners are reportedly looking to sell.
Newcastle's owners have not shied away from a multi-club business model, following suit of Manchester City who own a number of clubs across the globe.
'Incredible' Newcastle told win over Tottenham would see confidence boost to secure Champions League
Former Newcastle United captain Geremi believes a win over Tottenham this weekend will be the confident boost needed to for the Magpies secure Champions League football come the end of the season. A win over Spurs would move Eddie Howe's side six points clear of Cristian Stellini's side in fifth place, also boasting a game in hand over the top-four rivals.
The Toon have been imperious at home this season, losing to just Liverpool and taking points against Manchester City and Manchester United. A heavy defeat last time out against Aston Villa saw the Magpies come crashing back down to earth, but Spurs were unable to take advantage of Newcastle's slip up - with Tottenham losing 3-2 to Bournemouth.
Speaking to Lord Ping, Geremi said: "I think if Newcastle beat Tottenham, they will have the confidence to finish in the top four. At this stage of the season, with eight games remaining, they will be thinking about the Champions League.
Eddie Howe's no-nonsense Tottenham response will please Newcastle United fans
Eddie Howe could only laugh as he was asked whether a draw against Tottenham Hotspur would be a good result this weekend. Newcastle United have a three-point advantage over the north London outfit heading into a crucial top four showdown at St James' Park on Sunday but anything less than a win won't do for the Magpies head coach.
Newcastle need to bounce back after a rare poor performance after Saturday's 3-0 humbling at Aston Villa. A win against Cristian Stellini's shaky Spurs would see the Magpies firmly in the driving seat for Champions League qualification with just a handful of games to go.
As such, Howe, as always, will settle for nothing less than all three points. "Come on!" Howe laughed. "No, no, We play to win!"
Newcastle United chief Eddie Howe issues warning as crisis club Tottenham Hotspur head north
Eddie Howe is refusing to accept Newcastle United are facing the Premier League's crisis club this weekend against Tottenham Hotspur.
Spurs parted company with Antonio Conte last month and have since been plunged into a fresh political turmoil. Chairman Daniel Levy was the target of chants for him to go and lamposts on the Seven Sisters Road have had "Levy Out" slapped on them throughout the season.
The Spurs supremo has expressed concerns about Newcastle's wealthy new Saudi backers since the takeover went through. But now finds his club in a battle for fourth spot.
Cristian Stellini lifts the lid on Tottenham's injury problems ahead of Newcastle trip
Tottenham Hotspur interim boss Cristian Stellini says Ben Davies and Clement Lenglet have both trained ahead of this weekend's clash with Newcastle United. The Magpies' Champions League rivals have been hit with a number of injuries, with Davies not featuring since the 3-3 draw against Southampton and Lenglet limping out of last Saturday's 3-2 defeat at home to Bournemouth.
Yves Bissouma and Rodrigo Bentancur both have long-term injuries while Emerson Royal is also set to miss the clash at St. James' Park this weekend. Lucas Moura is suspended, while Ryan Sessegnon is also injured and won't play against the Magpies.
Stellini is hoping to have Davies and Lenglet back in contention in what would be a big boost, but that's likely to be a late call from the Spurs boss.
Eddie Howe provides Newcastle starting XI hint as unsung hero returns to full fitness
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has again waxed lyrical over his 'unsung hero' Sean Longstaff, hinting the midfield man could make a swift return to the starting XI against Tottenham this weekend.
The academy graduate started on the bench in the 3-0 humbling at Aston Villa after struggling with a bout of tonsillitis in the run up to the clash. Longstaff's energy and tenacity was a big miss in the middle of the park during the defeat, with Howe admitting as much at full-time.
The Toon boss was again keen to praise Longstaff before this weekend's huge top four clash with Tottenham, with a return to the starting XI potentially on the cards at St James' Park this weekend.
Newcastle have already found 'rare' secret that Spurs and Premier League rivals desperately want
Eddie Howe has admitted that the 'rare' stability at Newcastle United has enabled the Magpies to be 'successful' at a time when Sunday's opponents Spurs are in crisis.
Newcastle, who have a game in hand on Spurs, have the chance to move six points clear of their top four rivals at St James' Park at the weekend. While Newcastle still have seven games to play beyond that, the black-and-whites know they could land a huge psychological blow in the race for the Champions League against Spurs, who have won just two of their last six matches.
Spurs are currently without a permanent manager - Cristian Stellini has taken charge on an interim basis after Antonio Conte was sacked last month - while Fabio Paratici resigned as the club's managing director of football on Friday after losing his appeal against a 30-month ban. Although Howe stressed he would 'never comment on another football club', the Newcastle boss acknowledged the contrasting stability behind the scenes at St James' had played its part in his side's Champions League push this season.
