Eddie Howe asked about Newcastle United and West Brom transfer story

Eddie Howe will hold talks with members of his Newcastle United squad about their futures in the “next few days”.

Some players will play their last games for the Magpies at Burnley on Sunday. Some already have ahead a summer of change at St James’ Park.

The mantra is “evolution not revolution” for Howe but that doesn’t mean it won’t be a busy summer - with a number of outgoings expected.

Those left out of the Premier League 25-man squad - Jamal Lewis, Jeff Hendrick, Freddie Woodman, Isaac Hayden and Ciaran Clark - are most obviously at risk. Meanwhile, the likes of Dwight Gayle and Matt Ritchie have struggled for game time.

“I’ll be speaking with players in the next few days linking it around the game,” Howe confirmed.

“Obviously, I won’t be speaking to any of the players involved in the match before the game, I’ll be speaking to them afterwards. But players who are potentially injured and not involved in the game.”

NewcastleWorld understands West Brom, managed by former Magpies head coach Steve Bruce, are attempting to tie a deal for Clark.

The Republic of Ireland defender’s current United deal is understood to run until the summer of 2023, however with Howe and the Magpies keen to trim the fat off their Premier League playing staff, they will allow the former Aston Villa man to depart.

Asked by NewcastleWorld if Clark was a player Howe would be open to letting go this summer, the Magpies boss replied: “I won’t speak about individual players at this time. I’ll do that at a later date.

“But at this time, I think it’s difficult for me to comment.”