Newcastle United confirm new contract for 'reliable' player - plus Callum Wilson & Joelinton 'update'

Eddie Howe says Emil Krafth "fully deserves" his new contract after extending his stay at Newcastle United until June 2025.

The 29-year-old, who joined from French club Amiens in 2019, has spent the majority of the past two years on the sidelines with an ACL injury before returning in November. He started Carabao Cup matches against Manchester United and Chelsea, and played the majority of the 3-0 win over Fulham in December after Fabian Schar's early withdrawal.

Krafth is behind the likes of Kieran Trippier and Tino Livramento in the pecking order at right-back but can also provide cover at centre-back.

Speaking about the Swede's extension, Howe said: "He’s just a very dependable, really good trainer and player. He’s very reliable and I can’t speak highly enough of him in a sense of how he handled his injury.

"It was a very difficult moment for him, he was in good form and had a really powerful end to the season when we were trying to avoid relegation. He then got the injury and worked his way back throughout pre-season and has looked as good as new since he’s come back and that’s not easy to do with the injury he had.

"[He] fully deserves his new contract and he’s got a big part to play in our future."

On the subject of contracts, Howe recently admitted there is a "is a possibility" Joelinton could sold this summer.

The Brazilian is in a race to play again this season after undergoing thigh surgery. By the time the midfielder returns to fitness, he'll have just 12 months left to run on the contract he penned when signed from Hoffenheim for a then club-record £40million in 2019.

Talks have taken place over a new deal but the two parties remain some way apart from an agreement. Asked on Friday if there was an update, Howe simply replied: "No."

Similar to Joelinton, there have been suggestions Callum Wilson might be about to play the final few games of Newcastle career.

The England striker will be sidelined for nine to 12 weeks after undergoing surgery on his pectoral muscle. He too is out of contract in 2025 but Howe says the situation between the two different.

Howe said: "No, it's a totally different situation. Joe's is a contract issue and Callum's is an injury so it's totally different."

Here's when every Newcastle United player's current contract expires: