The eight Newcastle United players ‘on course’ to leave St James’ Park in 2024

The mood is largely positive at Newcastle United after Eddie Howe’s side produced an impressive run of form over the last month.

The Magpies returned from the last international break to claim Premier League wins against Brentford, Sheffield United and Burnley, as well as a hard-earned point at West Ham United on Sunday. Progress in the Carabao Cup was secured with a 1-0 home win against Manchester City and Howe’s men made a solid start to their Champions League group stage campaign by taking four points from an away trip to AC Milan and last week’s stunning home win against Paris Saint-Germain.

United will hope to carry that form into their return to competitive action following the international break when Crystal Palace and German giants Borussia Dortmund visit St James Park inside four days and Howe will hope the momentum is carried into the winter and beyond as he looks to replicate the progress of last season.

But the coming months will also provide the Magpies boss with some major decisions over members of his squad as they enter the final months of their existing deals at St James Park. NewcastleWorld takes a look at which players are out of contract at the end of the campaign and assesses their hopes of remaining on Tyneside.

Jamaal Lascelles

The long-serving Magpies club captain recently returned to the side following an injury to Sven Botman. The former Nottingham Forest centre-back helped his side keep clean sheets in Carabao Cup win over Manchester City and a Premier League home victory against Burnley before starring in the 4-1 win over Champions League group stage rivals Paris Saint-Germain. Lascelles remained in the side for Sunday’s draw at West Ham United but his place will be under threat when Botman returns after the international break. With just eight months left on his deal, Lascelles and the Magpies will face a major decision over his future.

Loris Karius

Signed as emergency cover following injuries to Nick Pope and Karl Darlow, Karius memorably made his first, and as yet only competitive appearance for the Magpies in their 2-0 defeat against Manchester United in last season’s Carabao Cup Final. Despite links with clubs in Serie A, the former Liverpool goalkeeper penned a new one-year deal to remain at St James Park this season, but it seems unlikely that stay will be extended into another season.

Matt Ritchie

Another United stalwart facing a big decision, Ritchie has been a faithful servant for the Magpies ever since he joined in a £12m deal from Bournemouth in the summer of 2016. The former Scotland winger penned a new one-year deal earlier this summer and it remains to be seen whether he will extend his time on Tyneside into an eighth year amid links with a move back to the South Coast.

Paul Dummett

Another player that rarely lets down the Magpies, academy product Dummett produced the sort of display United supporters love when he was handed a start in the recent Carabao Cup win against Manchester City. However, that remains one of only five appearances in all competitions over the last three seasons and that will mean there is a big call to be made over whether the former Wales defender is handed another extension come the end of the season.

Emil Krafth

Krafth can count himself unfortunate after the serious knee injury he suffered in a Carabao Cup win at Tranmere Rovers last season abruptly ended a positive period in his time on Tyneside. The Swede produced some promising displays as he replaced the injured Kieran Trippier during the previous season and was first-choice backup for the England star when last season got underway. Krafth is now in the closing stages of his recovery but the arrival of Tino Livramento could mean his time on Tyneside will come to an end next summer.

Mark Gillespie

The former Carlisle United and Motherwell goalkeeper has made just three senior appearances for the Magpies since he returned to his boyhood club in the summer of 2020. All three came in Carabao Cup ties against Blackburn Rovers, Morecambe and Newport County during his first season back on Tyneside - although he has been an unused substitute in a number of Premier League games. Little is known of Howe’s stance on Gillespie or how the keeper views his own future as he enters the final months of his current deal.

Javier Manquillo

The Spanish full-back was expected to leave St James Park earlier this summer after a number of La Liga clubs were reportedly keen on securing a loan deal that would have effectively ended his time as a Magpies. Just as with Krafth, it seems the arrival of Tino Livramento will mean he is highly unlikely to be handed another deal when his current one comes to a close at the end of the season.

Fabian Schar

A firm favourite of Eddie Howe and a firm favourite with the St James Park faithful. Although United have been linked with several centre-backs, Schar has consistently proven his worth during Howe’s time in charge and has forged a strong partnership with Sven Botman at the heart of the Magpies defence. The Swiss international has all of the qualities Howe loves in his players and will surely be handed an opportunity to extend his time on Tyneside over the coming months.