Eddie Howe confirms Newcastle United bonus stand-off but ‘hopes’ Mike Ashley mess won’t impact player mindset

Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe hopes that an ongoing bonus stand-off between players and the club will not affect the team's mindset ahead of this weekend's Premier League curtain-raiser with Aston Villa.

Mail Sport reported yesterday that the Magpies are facing a contract debacle over bonus payment after the side placed fourth in the league last year with an old Mike Ashley scheme coming back to bite the new Saudi owners.

According to reports, Newcastle United have asked players to take a cut of around 40% on additional incentives placed in deals under Ashley - the Sports Direct tycoon implemented a 'hugely generous' bonus for league position alongside a large £20 million bonus for a FA Cup win in 2017.

New club owners were forced to cough up 'extraordinary' sums of money after the last campaign by honouring the Ashley deals. The club is now believed to be working to encourage players to change those terms to prevent a potential Financial Fair Play headache.

However, players 'aren't keen' to see future bonuses slashed and, should no agreement be reached, the club would have to honour the Ashley terms.

Speaking at his press conference on Friday morning, Eddie Howe confirmed that there was a situation over bonuses ongoing behind-the-scenes but believed that it wouldn't affect his team's performance on the pitch this weekend.

Howe said: "Yes, but it is nothing unusual in my experience around this time. It is commonplace up and down the land. Yes, there have been discussions between the club and players on bonuses and we hope to reach a swift conclusion.

"I certainly hope not [whether it will affect mindset] from my view, the job is hard enough without added complication. But I see no issue with the players in that sense. I don’t think it’s right to paint that reflection on the players or the club. We’re trying to find a solution."