Two more Newcastle United departures confirmed after Kieran Trippier & Emil Krafth farewells
Not just Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth - Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe confirms two more departures.
There were a number of St James’ Park farewells being paid after Newcastle United’s 3-1 win over West Ham United.
Nick Woltemade netted his first goal since February to open the scoring in the 15th minute before Will Osula quickly doubled the lead.
Osula added his second and the Magpies’ third near in the 65th minute but the two-goal advantage didn’t last for long as Valentin Castellanos pulled one back for the Hammers.
The Magpies went on to see out the win relatively comfortably, moving up to 11th in the Premier League table ahead of next Sunday’s final game of the campaign at Fulham.
Not just Trippier or Krafth - several St James’ Park farewells
Following the game, Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth led the lap of honour with the pair leaving at the end of their contracts this summer.
But Eddie Howe confirmed they aren’t the only ones departing, with goalkeeper Max Thompson and club doctor Paul Catterson also moving on.
Thompson, who was a regular in Newcastle’s Champions League matchday squads this season, has only just returned from a half-season loan at Ayr United, while Catterson is set to take up a role with the Premier League having been at the club since 2009.
Howe revealed: “I think every time we've walked round at the end of a season, I think it's a really nice moment just to stop and reflect on the season's work.
“Of course, today was slightly different, because we're focusing really on Kieran and Emil and Paul Catterson, Max Thompson, players that will leave us who have done a great job for us, on and off the pitch,
“Obviously, Paul's the doctor here, and they've been incredible servants to the football club, and we're going to miss them. They're a big part of our lives, and they have been a big part of our lives.
“In football, nothing stays the same. Everything changes so quickly. So I think that was a really nice moment for them.”
What about others at Newcastle United?
Of the senior players out of contract this summer, only Fabian Schar's future is yet to be decided. Ross Wilson is expected to hold talks with the Swiss defender's representatives "in the next week", according to Howe.
Sandro Tonali and Tino Livramento have been linked with exits but it is Anthony Gordon that is increasingly likely to leave after he was an unused substitute for a third consecutive match.
Howe added: "Yes, it's unknown. Of course, we don't know. I say it all the time to you guys, I don't know if you really believe me, but the transfer window is so difficult to predict. We don't know what's going to happen from this point onwards.
"Players may well leave. I don't know. If they do, they do. If they don't, then we'll move on with the group that we have.
"For me, the big thing is that we need to try and improve. Also, if people do leave, we need to bring in better players. The team and the squad can't get weaker. I think that's my big thing."