· 29 May 2025, 14:00
**Newcastle United scraped into next season's Champions League on the final day of the season thanks to a rare win for Manchester United, which kept Aston Villa below the Magpies in the final table.**
It's the second time in three seasons that Newcastle will partake in Europe's elite competition, with the return to the competition after a 20-year absence being full of lessons for Eddie Howe.
Newcastle had a barebones squad heading into that season, and all it took was a couple of injuries to derail the entire season. You can call it bad luck or whatever, but the sheer number of injuries Newcastle suffered that season was horrendous.
It was due in large part to there simply not being enough players for Eddie Howe to rotate, and players got run into the ground until they broke down, essentially.
James Bunce can only do so much to keep the squad fit
Alan Shearer urges Newcastle to get out and spend money this summer
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This is why Alan Shearer has told Betfair (via [The Mirror](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/alan-shearer-newcastle-premier-league-35303685)) what needs to be done next season to ensure Newcastle can compete where they want to be.
> "Newcastle have to go out, spend and bring in at least three or four first-team players that are not only going to challenge, but get into the first-team. And if they do that, they won't be far away next season. They'll be challenging for trophies again next season.
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> "You've got to remember that Newcastle haven't signed anyone of significance for three transfer windows now. That tells you that there has to be cash available and they have to provide Eddie Howe with the reinforcements he needs because if you're not learning from how the last Champions League campaign went, then what's the point?"
Newcastle could also do with a couple of extra squad players
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Beyond the three or four signings pushing for first-team football, Newcastle could also do with one or two extra squad players to fill out the numbers.
The biggest lesson from that Champions League season was that a small squad is never going to be able to compete on four fronts without a hefty dose of luck.
James Bunce has done wonders to keep the squad fit this season, but even he isn't a miracle worker and will no doubt echo what Alan Shearer is saying here. Having more players at your disposal will spread the risk of injury, lowering the likelihood of another injury crisis like the one we endured last season.