A look at the latest Newcastle United headlines on Tuesday, 24 May.
'We loved each other' - Newcastle careers ending this week as players and staff get emotional
Newcastle United had just defeated Burnley to finish in 11th place, but it was a final day victory tinged with sadness for some of these players as it may be the last time they share a dressing room together. Even Eddie Howe, who is always so measured, admitted the traditional end of season address was 'quite an emotional moment' on Sunday.
It is easy to see why. New players will arrive this summer, and in the years to come, but the contribution the club's stalwarts have made will never be forgotten.
Not only did several members of this group help take Newcastle back to the Premier League, in 2017, but they also helped keep the Magpies in the top-flight when their backs were against the wall. It is not an exaggeration to say that had they not done that, an already protracted takeover might have been even more complicated - and that really is saying something.
Eddie Howe says Newcastle United defender Jamaal Lascelles passed test of leadership this season
Eddie Howe has revealed that Jamaal Lascelles passed his test of a good leader this season. The club captain has watched on at times as Kieran Trippier, Callum Wilson and Jonjo Shelvey donned the armband.
But Howe is pleased with the role of Lascelles this term. Howe told Chronicle Live: “I have to say Jamaal has been an exceptional captain.
"The biggest compliment I can give him is when he was out the team, and I think when you are captain of the team and you aren’t in the team, how do you act in that moment? And that was a real test of his leadership."
Statistics show Newcastle's Dan Burn unlucky to miss out on England call up
Newcastle United supporters may well feel as though Dan Burn was deserving of a place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad given his form in the last few months. The Magpies centre-back played a key role in helping his boyhood club ultimately cruise to Premier League safety after signing from Brighton in January.
His team mate – who also joined in January – Kieran Tripper has retained his place in the squad for the upcoming matches against Bulgaria, Italy and Germany. Although, he will know just how good Burn has been and could feel that he should’ve been included in the 27-man squad.
A statistic provided by WhoScored, which shows the highest average ratings of English players since the last international break, shows that the Toon centre-back may well have been deserving of a maiden call up. Behind Eric Dier – who also missed out – Burn has been the highest rated English central defender since March.
Newcastle's Kieran Trippier named in England squad as Gareth Southgate announces full list
Newcastle United's Kieran Trippier has won a place in Gareth Southgate's latest England squad. The England boss has named his squad for the four UEFA Nations League games taking place in June.
The Three Lions face Hungary both home and away either side of games with Germany and Italy in the coming weeks. Trippier made his first start for Newcastle in the final-day win over Burnley at Turf Moor, having missed almost three months of action with a broken foot.
The right-back made a huge impression after signing from Atletico Madrid in January, but picked up the injury in the win over Aston Villa in February. The 31-year-old scored what proved to be the winning goal that day, having opened his United account with the third in a 3-1 win over Everton at St James' Park.
Gareth Southgate has already outlined Kieran Trippier's importance after England recall
Gareth Southgate has already outline Kieran Trippier's importance to England after recalling the Newcastle defender. The 31-year-old is a part of the Three Lions squad to face Hungary, Italy and Germany next month.
Trippier has been absent from Eddie Howe's squad for the last three months after damaging his metatarsal against Aston Villa, but returned against Manchester City and started the final game of the season against Burnley. There were question marks over Trippier's inclusion at left-back in the Euro 2020 squad, but Southgate insisted he'd become a 'defensive animal' during his time with Atletico Madrid.
The Three Lions boss told journalists that he wary of defensive doubts at the back ahead of England's Nations League fixtures, he said: "We've picked extra numbers there, we've got quite a few doubts at the back. It's a bit of a minefield in terms of players that have missed football, coming back from injury, some have only had one 90 minutes, with a couple unavailable in terms of Luke Shaw and Ben Chilwell that haven't played anything at all really."
Eddie Howe reveals biggest Newcastle transfer challenge he 'definitely' doesn't want to 'break'
Eddie Howe has admitted his biggest challenge this summer will be retaining the 'unbelievable spirit' that has served Newcastle United so well while also making changes to his squad.
Howe will speak to his players about their futures this week and a number of stalwarts look set to move on in the coming months. Indeed, there are question marks surrounding a host of long-serving players this summer, including Isaac Hayden, Ciaran Clark, Karl Darlow, Dwight Gayle, Matt Ritchie, Federico Fernandez and Javier Manquillo.
These individuals have not played as much as they would have liked under Howe, while Hayden and Clark did not even make the 25-man squad for the second half of the campaign, but they have still played their part in Newcastle's turnaround this season by setting standards around the training ground. While the business the club did in January was significant, that togetherness and work ethic has been at the heart of Newcastle's transformation under Howe.
