Top News

Newcastle chiefs remain fully behind Eddie Howe in spite of their disappointing Premier League campaign, according to reports. Just three wins in their last 10 games has left the Magpies in the bottom half of the table, seven points away from the division's top five. A painful derby defeat to Sunderland just before the international break was a particularly tough one to take.

They were also bullied by Barcelona in the Champions League knockout stages, falling to an 8-3 aggregate defeat over two legs. As a result of their wretched form, pressure is mounting on Howe to turn things around as a matter of urgency. However, those in power at St James' Park aren't willing to pull the trigger just yet.

They are still backing Howe to get Newcastle firing again, according to BBC Sport. As a result, it's unlikely that he will be relieved of his duties before the end of the season, with an important summer transfer window on the horizon.

The report adds that Howe is eager to oversee a rebuild of the playing squad, with the 48-year-old aware that 'selling is a necessity' in certain situations.

Speaking last week, Newcastle chief executive David Hopkinson made it clear he expected a strong finish to the season, but stressed that no conversations about a potential change of manager were taking place.

"I don't have a stance on his future," he said. "What I can tell you is that the derby loss hurt. We take it seriously. There's nothing within us that thinks: 'Well, it's just three points and on we go'. It has resonated.

"I spent a couple of hours in a one-on-one lunch recently with Eddie and we talked through a multitude of things, including that.

"Eddie is our manager. I expect to have a great run to the end of the season here and we will talk about the future when it's time. Right now, we're focused on this season's competition."

Howe, meanwhile, has expressed relief that he will get the chance to work with his players on the training ground due to a lighter schedule between now and the end of the campaign.

Newcastle have played 23 games in four different competitions since the turn of the year, but they will get some much-needed respite after the international break.

"It's a different phase for us now," said Howe. "We've been used to playing every two, three, four days relentlessly and the players have handled that well.

"The professionalism has been great, how they've looked after their bodies, their minds, everything, it's been a real test for us and I have to compliment the players on that.

"Now we're going to a different phase, playing once a week will be slightly strange to train again with big numbers and it will be really enjoyable.

"We'll look forward to that when we can and we hope that helps our performances back in the Premier League and we can finish the season strongly."

EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page.