For too long walking back into Newcastle United's first-team was simple, and any player that maintained even a moderate level of fitness had an even easier task of staying there.
However, in less than six months, Eddie Howe has changed the culture behind the scenes and now has a squad that are not only desperate to play each week, they are queuing up to sign new contracts at the club. Where once April and May time was the opportunity for the season's best performers to start pushing agents for a summer move, the aim for the majority is to ensure they will be in that 25-man squad at St James' Park next season.
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