Newcastle United

Holly Bacon
BBC Sport journalist

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Sunday's Premier League game against Everton at St James' Park (kick-off 16:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Eddie Howe said the next couple of days will be "crucial" to Alexander Isak's availability against Everton: "He's doing OK. He hasn't trained with us yet but he's made good progress through the week. There's a chance."

• He added that Joelinton won't be back for Sunday but envisages he will be back for pre-season with no problems.

• On Kieran Tripper, Howe said: "He hasn't trained with us yet. He's had an absence of two, two and a half weeks but has a chance maybe in the next couple of days to build up his load and maybe we will see him train tomorrow. Let's wait and see."

• Howe said the mood has been really good but there was a disappointment after the Arsenal game from the result, not the performance. Howe said: "Training has been lively this week. The lads have been in good spirits. I think they're looking forward to the challenge we face on Sunday."

• He said the most "surreal" moment for him this season was the cup final experience and scenes that followed but "hopes there's another one to come and that potentially could be Sunday because we shouldn't underestimate the size of the achievement".

• The Newcastle boss was asked whether he'll be keeping an eye on results elsewhere on Sunday: "I don't think we can look for any favours from anybody. We have to do our bit and that's purely going to be the only thing in our minds. There will be no talk of other results or other teams. What will be, will be in that respect. Afterwards we'll see and reflect, but we know what we have to do."

• On the summer: "My mindset is always the same when you come to this time of the year. You want to act quickly because usually the best available options will move quite quickly. If you're too late to react, you can miss out on potential transfers that really could make the difference. We pride ourselves on identifying our targets quickly and then we have to act quickly and efficiently as a football club."

• Howe said that they plan to return for pre-season on 7 July.

Follow all of Friday's Premier League news conferences and the rest of the day's football news

England manager Thomas Tuchel has announced his squad for the World Cup qualifier against Andorra (7 June) and friendly against Senegal (10 June).

Manchester City's Phil Foden, Newcastle's Tino Livramento and West Ham's Jarrod Bowen all miss out, but Nottingham Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White and Chelsea duo Noni Madueke and Trevoh Chalobah have been selected.

Image source, Newcastle United FC

Newcastle United have released their new home kit which they say is a "a fresh twist" on their classic black and white stripes.

The shirt features 'Howay the Lads' on the back of the neck, while the shirt for the women's team has 'Howay the Lasses'.

Peter Silverstone, chief commercial fficer at Newcastle United, believes their new shirt also provides a way to help the community.

"This season's kit launch is about more than just what our players wear on the pitch – it's about ing our community," he said.

"Building on our home kit foundation donation initiative of last year, this year, for every adult home, away and third shirt sold through official club channels before the end of August we'll be donating £5 to the Newcastle United Foundation."

They will debut the new strip on Sunday in their final game of the season against Everton at St James' Park.

Newcastle United have beaten Barcelona and Real Madrid to the g of 18-year-old Spanish winger Antonio Cordero from Malaga. (Chronicle), external

Want more transfer news? Read Friday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

The final day of the 2024-25 Premier League is edging closer, which means we will soon know the answer to who will make up the remaining Champions League spots.

Five teams are in contention for the final three positions and earlier on Thursday, we asked you to put in order where you thought those clubs would finish.

The results showed Chelsea and Nottingham Forest - who face each other at the City Ground - are who you believe will be the sides to miss out.

However it pans out, it is set to be an afternoon of high tension.

Charlotte Robson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

Qualifying for the Champions League is vital for Newcastle United for several reasons. For us fans, I think it has a hugely symbolic significance - it was not a fluke that we made it there two seasons ago.

The Champions League is where we want to be and where we belong. It also means the return of huge nights for fans - the 4-1 against Paris St-Germain at St James' Park in 2023 is an historic memory for so many.

From a club side, it means money. Lovely old PSR-eligible money. The difference between Champions League revenue and Europa League revenue is huge. It matters so much in this age of spreadsheets and ing that we find ourselves in.

Of course, it means we are more likely to keep our paws on elite players like Sandro Tonali, Alexander Isak, and Bruno Guimaraes. It also means we might be an attractive prospect for other players. Come and live in the North East, guys! We have so many bridges! Play for us!

So then, on to the final game. The one where we have to get it done.

We made the mistake of getting too sentimental before the cup final two years ago and we lost. We learned from that and treated this year like business and we won.

So let's do the business against Everton.

I want this team and this management to hear that we all have it in us for one last huge push. Whatever happens, this has been an epic season. Let's make it the very best it can be.

Let's get back to the Champions League - where we all know we belong.

Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external

Image source, Getty Images

Each team in the race for the top five will have to keep an eye on other results, but deep down, you just want to be able to focus on your own business.

You want to be able to win your game out on the pitch, but the nature of the matches are really different. You have the head-to-head between Nottingham Forest and Chelsea. Then you have the likes of Manchester City playing away, Aston Villa playing away, you have got Newcastle playing at home against Everton, and when you are at home you are always going to be tough to play. So it is going to be a really, really nervous phase for all those teams involved.

How do I see it playing out? I am not sure I could tell you right now which way it is going to go. It just comes down to moments, and that is really cliche but a one-off game is almost like a final. As it stands, to go into the weekend knowing that you have a real chance, the fans of all the teams will be nervous, but you are one win away from being there.

As a player on the pitch, you absolutely get a sense of what is going on elsewhere, especially if you are at home.

You know what is happening, but then how does that affect your game? You could be losing, you could be up against it at one point, but then other teams start losing or drawing and you are back in the qualifying spots. How do you manage the next moments? How do you manage the last 10 to 15 minutes of the game when a result is one way or the other? Teams can score multiple goals in the blink of an eye, and desperation is one of the real causes for that. All of a sudden, when the kitchen sink is being thrown at people, anything is possible.

As a player, it can be really exciting. You want things to be going your way, but it is very hard to only focus on your game when other things matter at the same time. There is a double level of anxiety because you can control one thing but you cannot control the other, so you can't ever be comfortable.

From the outside, it is an exciting situation, but from the inside, you just hope that you are winning your game of football so you can just take all that out of it.

The 'as it stands' type days, they are some of the best days in football.

Nedum Onuoha was speaking to BBC Sport's Nicola Pearson

The race for the three remaining Champions League qualification spots in the Premier League is going right down to the wire.

With one round of fixtures remaining, just three points separate Manchester City in third and Nottingham Forest in seventh.

With five teams vying for three positions, it leaves some clubs with their fate in their own hands, while others will be relying on favours to secure their place.

Newcastle United and Chelsea know that wins will guarantee them spots in Europe's elite competition in 2025-26.

And, with a two points and a 17-goal cushion, just a point but would all but guarantee City a place.

Nottingham Forest, who have spent much of the season occupying one of those top five spots, will need to beat Chelsea and hope for a slip up from teams above them, while Aston Villa will also be hoping for a bit of help from elsewhere.

It is set to be an anxious Sunday for those watching in the stadium and elsewhere.

But where do you think all five teams will finish?

Make your selection here

Charlotte Robson
Fan writer

We asked our Newcastle fan contributor for their four candidates for player of the season and you can now select your top one.

Dan Burn

This season saw us lose Sven Botman at centre-back and we just... haven't really noticed. That's because Big Dan Burn easily slipped into this place and has held his line expertly. Not to mention the opening goal in the Carabao Cup final, helping us secure our first domestic cup in 70 years.

Jacob Murphy

We were so worried in January that we were going to be left totally lost on the right-hand side of attack. Enter Murphy who has gone on to provide eight Premier League goals and 12 assists to date. All with a massive grin on his face.

Sandro Tonali

Midfield maestro from Milano. This season has seen us unlock this player who somehow seems to get better and better each game. He has slotted into this holding midfielder/attacking hybrid role with ease, pushing play up the pitch and being instrumental in crucial wins.

Alexander Isak

We cannot ignore the goal contribution and skill of the ice cold Alexander Isak this season. For a player who isn't getting the service he wants, he still has an incredible 23 Premier League goals and the winning goal at the Carabao Cup final. There is so much more to come from him - which is such an exciting prospect.

Pick your 2024-25 Newcastle player of the season from our shortlist here

And tell us why you're picking who you are, or why you'd have gone for another player not on the list, here

Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external

The latest Newcastle United Podcast has landed.

BBC Radio Newcastle's Matthew Raisbeck and special guest comedian Anth Young talk to former Newcastle United player John Anderson about his time at St. James' Park.

As they delve into his 10-year stint at the club - between 1982 and 1992 - Anderson reveals all about playing in the 1982 World Cup and being managed by Jack Charlton.

The former defender also reflects on his legendary commentary line: "Just put it in the net man!"

Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds

Newcastle United are among the clubs set to hold talks with Ipswich Town's 22-year-old striker Liam Delap this week. (Talksport), external

Want more transfer news? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Charlotte Robson
Fan writer

Image source, Getty Images

We don't half make it hard for ourselves, do we? A loss at the Emirates this weekend sees us going into our last game of the season needing to win. Nobody wanted it to come down to this.

It is worth pointing out, though, that if someone told me in December that this is the position we would be in with one game to go - third, vying for a Champions League spot and ahead of Chelsea and Manchester City, I would have been absolutely buzzing.

So that is the feeling I'm trying to carry me through this week, instead of abject terror and generalised anxiety.

On the plus side, we get to end what will, however we place, go down as one of the best seasons we have ever had. Add to that the fact we get to end the season at home, St James' Park, cheering this group of players who made history for us, for themselves and for the city.

And what of this group of players? We have to turn our attention to the window almost as soon as we finish the season. The wheels keep rolling. If we secure Champions League, we need to strengthen the squad. That means losing players. If we do not, we have less incentive for some of them to stay. That also means losing players.

As a fanbase, we are collectively getting our head around the idea that in this PSR age we will have to make some sacrifices. It tempers it all, I think, that we won a cup this season. Any of our players could leave Newcastle with a guard of honour now.

It will be interesting to see what movement there is this summer - but whatever happens, I'm glad St James' Park is the last game and we can give them the reception they all deserve, one last time.

Find more from Charlotte Robson at the True Faith: Newcastle United Podcast, external

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle's final game of the season will be "tense" and "pressurised", says former defender John Anderson.

After a 1-0 defeat by Arsenal at the weekend, it means the Magpies' European fate next season will go down to the final game of the campaign at home to Everton on Sunday.

Sitting third on 66 points means Champions League qualification is in there own hands if they match or better the result of the teams below them.

Speaking on BBC Radio Newcastle, Anderson said: "It was tetchy. It was tense. It was what we thought it would be [against Arsenal] and only the one goal separated us.

"It will be nervy [the final game], no doubt about that. There will be a lot of tension around St James', a lot of people looking at their phones and what is happening elsewhere, but all you can do is concentrate on yourselves.

"You get the job done, you qualify. So it is going to be tense, it is going to be pressurised, there is no doubt about that.

"Everton have a little bit of momentum around them, it won't be easy but we need to go and win. It is not about performance, it is just about winning the game."

Listen to the full discussion on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

We asked for your views on Arsenal's Premier League match against Southampton

Here are some of your comments:

Arsenal fans

Lachlan: Perfect way to end the season at home! Newcastle normally have a way of beating us but today we showed we can win games and I was mightily impressed with Kiwior. He hasn't put a foot wrong since he came in for Gabriel!

Phil: Another game of two halves but we needed that win. Not only to effectively secure second, but to finally finish above City (could be useful to know we can next year) and because we have played three sub-par games against this Newcastle side without a win. We are still too ive on the ball though. We let the game happen to us rather than taking action more. Summer very much needed.

Terry: A hard-fought win, fully deserved, but sloppy ing at times. Raya made good on his mistakes and Declan scored a real match winner. Fortunately Newcastle could not finish in the final third but that was due to determined defending by the home side. Look forward to good summer gs to put Arsenal at the top of the Premier League.

Newcastle fans

John: Both sides were dreadful. Newcastle had the majority of the chances in the first half with a depleted squad. Isak, despite misfiring of late, would have been far more of a threat than past-it Wilson. Arsenal were poor too, though. A dull watch all round.

Sandra: I think in the first half we were unlucky not to score. We missed Isak. We seemed to stop trying when they scored. However it says a lot that the man of the match was their goalkeeper. Callum Wilson was out of his depth, and it took Gordon a while to settle too. Fingers crossed we can get it right against Everton and win to finish third in the League.

Adam: First half was exceptional minus a goal (or three). Second half we faded and were punished for our profligacy. Would have been lovely to have won the quadruple over Arsenal and be lying second, but wasn't meant to be I guess.

Match of the Day 2 pundits have been having their say on the race for the Champions League.

Danny Murphy expects Newcastle to be "fine", adding: "At home to Everton, I would say so with those fans behind them.

"Manchester City have got it all in their own hands with that extra game. Bournemouth and Fulham - not easy games but I'd tip them as well.

"If you look around the dressing room and you look at the manager, they're just the best in their class. If they don't have the resilience and fortitude to get through those games then there is a real question mark. They should beat Bournemouth and Fulham nine out of 10 times when they need to."

"That Chelsea-Forest game next week is the pick of the bunch. That's going to be one hell of an atmosphere down there."

Martin Keown said: "I think Forest have been magnificent this year - a breath of fresh air to see how they've performed. It's looking tough for them right now. They just had a little blip at the wrong time but they can't have any regrets to the way they've played this season.

"I think Man City will have enough to get there and so will Aston Villa as well."

Which way will it go? Read more and hear from the managers

Image source, Getty Images

Goalkeeper Nick Pope says Newcastle have "all the motivation" they need to see their season out on a high and qualify for the Champions League in their final game.

The 33-year-old has reflected on their performance against Arsenal ahead of their meeting with Everton at St James' Park next Sunday.

"I think we had our chances, can't say we didn't have our moments," he told BBC Radio Newcastle.

"It was a high level game and we need those fine margins to go in our favour to get a result and unfortunately for us that didn't happen.

"We've performed well and there's definitely positives to take. Not the result we wanted of course but, we're 37 games into the season and we have the chance to finish on a real high so, that's all the motivation we need for next Sunday.

"We've got one game [against Everton] and one game we need to win. It's very simple and there's nothing else to look into and we've got to concentrate this week at the training ground and put in a performance.

"Where else would you rather play in the world? They're going to be right behind us and we're ready for a big atmosphere so, looking forward to playing in it."