The make-up of Newcastle United's squad for next season will become a little clearer this month as the Premier League prepares to publish top-flight clubs' retained and released lists.
Among those Newcastle players who are entering the final weeks of their original deals are Paul Dummett, Matt Ritchie, Loris Karius, Mark Gillespie, Ciaran Clark and Matty Longstaff. While Clark looks set to move on, following a loan spell at Sheffield United, it is not inconceivable that at least half of those six individuals could have the chance to stay put.
Howe made it clear last month that he wanted both Dummett and Ritchie to sign new deals and the Newcastle boss predicted that '95%' of the squad would be kept on after helping the Magpies qualify for the Champions League with their contributions on the field or behind the scenes. Howe is keen to retain the spirit and togetherness that has served his side so well in the last 18 months and it is worth noting that Federico Fernandez, Dwight Gayle and Freddie Woodman were the only first-teamers to leave permanently last summer.
