Newcastle United midfielder Sean Longstaff admits that a host of Toon stars are playing for their futures at St James' Park. With just four fixtures remaining in the Premier League and 43 points in the bag, United's greatest opponent could well be complacency with the job of survival carried out with time to spare.
But with Eddie Howe's summer set to begin with the task of whittling down a list of 32 senior players at Benton, Longstaff knows that each of the last four games could be significant for a clutch of squad members.
He said: "I think, at the minute, we’re just trying to finish as high as we can this season. I don’t think the staff will really let us get ahead of ourselves.
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"People are playing for contracts and futures, and everyone wants to be part of what’s happening at the club. It would be selfish of players to start looking too far ahead. I think everyone’s focused on the next game, or the next day’s training, really.
"I think that’s what the staff have instilled into us, and I think it’s showing at the minute how good we can be when everyone’s pulling in the same direction."
Longstaff feels that this is an exciting time to be a Newcastle player ahead of what will be a busy summer. He said: "Yeah, of course, it would. I think everyone associated with the club - fans, players, new ownership - want that.
"We want to be pushing up the table. They’re getting the right people in the right places, and that’s the recipe for success. I think, for the club, it’s great, and as a fan, obviously I want us to go to the very top, and in a few year's time see some massive games at St James’s Park. The fans deserve it."
