Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe (Image: PA)
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe (Image: PA)
EDDIE Howe has told of his frustration at his Newcastle United stars being linked with moves away from the club - and says this summer's transfer window will be about strengthening rather than depleting his squad.
Howe says Newcastle "won't be hampered" by PSR restrictions this summer.
The Magpies haven't made a notable first team signing in the last three windows because of the limitations imposed by the Premier League's spending regulations.
But Howe says things will be different on Tyneside this summer, with Newcastle also only one win away from being armed with the hugely appealing extra lure of Champions League football.
United head for Arsenal on Sunday knowing victory at the Emirates would not only secure a top five finish but also see them move above Mikel Arteta's side into second place.
Arsenal have been linked with a number of Newcastle stars in recent windows, most notably Alexander Isak but also Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon.
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And while Howe tries to ignore the speculation, he admits it's a frustration to see his star players being linked with rivals when he believes they're fully committed to helping Newcastle establish themselves and compete at the top of the Premier League.
And he believes this summer will be about adding players rather than depleting a squad that is already thin.
Howe said: "I'm not absorbed in the transfer rumours. I don't go on websites and flick through them and see what's happening this week.
"But obviously it gets back. And it is a frustration because I don't see why our players are getting linked here, there and everywhere with other clubs. I'd like to think the players are happy here. I'd like to think again that they're seeing us grow and develop into a team that hopefully can compete at the top end of the division.
"We have no divine right to do that, but I think we're going in the right direction. So, yeah, it's a source of frustration, but I don't let it absorb me, really.
"Regular success, consistent success, all these things help you in the journey that you're on to show to everybody that that's where the club's ambition is.
"There's no doubt that's what the club's ambition is. But of course, as we've said many times, the ability financially to compete the last few years has been hampered by PSR, but those issues aren't there for the coming window. So I don't see any reason why we can't strengthen, not weaken ourselves."
Newcastle will be playing in Europe next season, which will test and stretch a squad that Howe admits is currently "light" in terms of numbers. For last week's game against Chelsea, Howe named two goalkeepers and academy youngster Sean Neave on the bench.
"January played a part in that, we lost two players from the squad," said Howe.
"We've done really well this season to manage a small squad. Our injury record has been very good, in part because of having less games. You're always going to get one or two.
"We're in a position with our squad where if you get a run of injuries you can look thin very quickly, fingers crossed we can maintain our strength.
“I think we do have depth, it depends on the position, really, how much depth. If you look at our midfield, for example, when everyone's fit, I think we've got six top-quality midfielders for us to pick from - that's an area of real strength for us.
“Maybe in other positions we don't necessarily have that depth that you talk about, and it's that balance of the squad and also having adaptable players that can play different positions. They're so important because one player then can cover three positions, and that's so important.
“Maybe we need to look at certain areas of the squad, of course, with the players that we've lost through the last few transfer windows and just try to get that balance right going into next year."