Joe White has revealed that Eddie Howe helped convince him to sign a new contract at Newcastle United after the head coach gave the youngster the 'reassurance' he needed to commit his future to the club.
White's original contract was due to run out this summer, but the highly-rated attacking midfielder has now signed a new three-year deal to end speculation about his future. White has now followed in the footsteps of fellow academy products Kell Watts and Max Thompson, who have also signed new deals since Howe came in.
While Howe will spend money on new players in the summer, the Magpies' boss is conscious of the need to bridge the gap between the academy and first team with the likes of White moving forward. Howe was keen to take a closer look at White when he took charge last November and the youngster even made the bench on occasion before being allowed to go out on loan to Hartlepool United in the mid-season window to get some first-team experience.
