Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy celebrate Newcastle United's Carabao Cup win
Harvey Barnes and Jacob Murphy celebrate Newcastle United's Carabao Cup win
The celebrations will go on for many weeks on Tyneside, but for the Newcastle United squad, the focus has already turned to their remaining Premier League fixtures.
Eddie Howe and Co will be razor-sharp in their bid to qualify for the Champions League next season - and that means finishing in the top five of the Premier League. There is plenty still at stake, and 10 more matches to play, but they will perhaps carry some extra significance for some players.
Newcastle have been relatively quiet in the last three transfer windows, but are expected to be able to invest significantly in the summer - meaning some of the current squad could soon find their first-team place in jeopardy. So as United go all out for a Champions League spot, here are eight players who could post a timely reminder about their own worth.
Nick Pope
The United goalkeeper won the battle with Martin Dubravka to start in the Carabao Cup final, and with Eddie Howe suggesting that he is the 'league keeper', it looks as though he will keep his place for the remaining fixtures. However, Pope will have noticed the plethora of goalkeepers linked to Newcastle in recent months, not least the man who took over from him at Burnley, James Trafford.
However, no one is now in a better position to prove that Newcastle don't need to add to their goalkeeping ranks just yet, and if we see a return to the form which helped the Magpies reach the top four in 2023, then the hierarchy may just think twice.
Kieran Trippier
Howe has always been a big fan of Trippier, the first signing he made in that transformatory January transfer window of 2022, but it did look like he could be playing out his final days at Newcastle at one stage this season. Tino Livramento was preferred to the former England defender at right-back, while Bruno Guimaraes took over the captaincy last summer.
However, Trippier remained an important member of the squad, and made several top-class performances over the Christmas period to remind everyone of his quality. With Lewis Hall out until the summer, Trippier should get the chance of a lengthy run in the side, with Livramento switching to left-back.
He'll turn 35 not long after next season begins, but his display at Wembley last weekend suggests he has plenty still to offer.
Fabian Schar
Having seen some real lows during his long spell at Newcastle United, there are few who deserved to enjoy the Wembley celebrations more than the Swiss defender. The 33-year-old is out of contract in the summer, although both Schar and the club are relaxed about a new deal at this seage.
However, with United thought to be prioritising a central defender in the summer transfer window, and Sven Botman set to return to the side in the near future, Schar will be acutely aware that his place could be on the line. He has been a model of consistency under Howe, but a reminder of his worth would not go amiss in the run-in.
Jacob Murphy
Another transfer window, another series of right-wingers linked with Newcastle United. From Bryan Mbeumo to Antoine Semenyo, Tyler Dibling to Francisco Trincao, the list of names has been extensive. Throughout it all, Jacob Murphy has just got better and better in the Newcastle first-team, making some question whether the club need to strengthen in his position at all.
It does seem likely that it will again be the forefront of transfer speculation this summer, especially with Murphy now aged 30. He's seen off plenty of competition and had that brilliant assist for Alexander Isak's second at Wembley, but he'll know he will have to maintain his high standards in the final 10 games.
Sean Longstaff
It wasn't that long ago that Geordie midfielder Longstaff was scoring in the Champions League against Paris Saint Germain. Now he is struggling for gametime, with Sandro Tonali, Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes locking down the midfield places. Youngster Lewis Miley is often given the nod from the bench, leaving question marks over Longstaff's future.
There is no doubt he can play an important role at Premier League level, but has played just 27 minutes of top-flight football in the last 11 games - with his last league start coming in the 4-2 defeat at Brentford in early December. Chances may be a premium in the coming months, but he must take them.
Joe Willock
Like Longstaff, Willock has found it harder to break into the side, although featured more during Joelinton's recent injury. However, it is signifcant that Harvey Barnes has been elevated to the first team in Anthony Gordon's absence, although the former Arsenal star made a positive impact off the bench at Wembley.
Willock's ability to stretch the game at pace can be a huge asset to Newcastle, but he will want more minutes as the Magpies bid to ensure a return to the Champions League.
Harvey Barnes
The former Leicester winger has struggled to have an extended run in the side, largely due to injuries and the form of Anthony Gordon, but should keep his place against Brentford next month for the final game of Gordon's ban. Barnes has been called an 'impact player' due to his ability to strike a key times, but can sometimes flatter to deceive when sides sit back and defend, particularly on home soil.
He was a threat at West Ham and against Liverpool at Wembley, but United need to see him at his explosive best when given a chance in the remaining fixtures.
Callum Wilson
The stars seemed aligned against United's No 9 over the last few years, with injury problems piling up to deny him a run in the side. He carried the club through some difficult times, putting his body on the line in battles against the drop, and then adding vital goals as better years dawned.
United need someone who can step up to offer a reliable alternative to Alexander Isak and help ease the goalscoring burden from the Swede. Wilson has nothing to prove when it comes to his record, but he needs to show his body is capable of playing a full season - with his contract up in the summer.