Some Newcastle United players could make their farewell appearance against Everton.
However, the Magpies’ head coach wouldn’t be drawn on individuals, including striker Callum Wilson.
Newcastle United farewell appearances?
Focus then immediately turns to the summer transfer window and specifically incomings but what isn’t lost on Howe is the potential exits.
For example, Wilson is out of contract on June 30 while there has been a lot of speculation regarding Sean Longstaff’s future after he last started a Premier League game in December.
Howe said: “I'm not sure on the thought of a huge change this summer. I mean, there could be. I'm in a position where I don't know what's going to happen and you never know going into any summer with transfer activity of ins or outs. You never know the numbers. You might have a thought of what could happen.
“But yes, without a doubt, this could be the last time that some of the supporters see some of the players. But I'd be saying the same at every season. In life, unfortunately, there's no guarantees and change is a natural process.
“But the players that have represented the club and that are in the squad have been incredible servants and we need to, in my opinion, pay tribute to what they've done.”
Eddie Howe on Callum Wilson’s future
When asked specifically about Wilson, Howe told NewcastleWorld: “I don't know the answer to that. I think with the game being such a big game and all the focus being on the result and the team performance, I think naturally on behalf of the football club side, it's not been about players' futures.
“It's been about trying to produce a really good team performance and then, of course, everything will be discussed afterwards.”
Eddie Howe on Callum Wilson’s 24-25 struggles
Speaking to the High Performance Podcast earlier this week, Wilson labelled the 24-25 campaign as the trickiest of his career.
The 33-year-old missed the opening three months of the campaign with a back and hamstring problem before suffering another setback in December. Since returning in February, Wilson has remained fit and available but has been restricted to just two Premier League starts.
Wilson has scored 49 goals in 129 appearances for United since joining from AFC Bournemouth for £20million in 2020 but his injury history and being behind Alexander Isak in the pecking order have cast major doubt over his future.
But Howe has a huge amount of love for the player, whom he first signed for Bournemouth 11 years ago.
“I've lived every emotion that he has because obviously his injuries have a direct knock-on effect for me,” said Howe. “I've been in moments with Callum of high emotion where I've tried to support him emotionally.
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“He's been an incredible player for me over many, many years. I couldn't speak highly enough of his character, of his attributes, of his ability. But he's had some real hurdles to overcome and none more so than this year.
“At the start of pre-season, he had to be really strong. He's had a couple of setbacks again. He's had to be strong and have the motivation levels to be as high as they are to come back and keep coming back. Touchwood has managed to stay fit now for a decent period of time.
“He's almost gone through a pre-season while being available to play, which is very difficult for any player. I feel he's getting better and stronger all the time. He's probably been in his best physical condition right now. So probably the season ending for him is bad timing.
“I think Alex being fit and available, I think is possibly being a good thing for him so we haven't had to thrust him in to many games from the start, which I don't think he was necessarily ready to do. But yes, he's just an incredible person, an incredible footballer. I've always loved working with him.”
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