Howe has come under increased pressure after Newcastle's Tyne-Wear derby defeat to Sunderland before the international break, leaving the Magpies languishing in 12th in the Premier League.
Newcastle were booed off after their second derby defeat of the season, and there's a growing divide in the fanbase - certainly online - between those who are questioning Howe's future and those who remain behind the boss who has led to the Newcastle to the Champions League twice in the last three seasons and won the Carabao Cup just over 12 months ago.
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Newcastle are currently approaching the midway stage of a three-week stoppage and return to action a week on Sunday with a trip to Crystal Palace, the first of their seven remaining games as Howe's side looks to salvage the season and qualify for Europe next term.
And Hopkinson says he "expects" the Magpies to have a "great run" between now and the end of the campaign.
Quizzed on Howe's position, Hopkinson, who was speaking to the media at St James' Park as the Magpies released their financial results for the 2024/25 season, revealing record revenues of £335m, - said: "I don't have a stance on his future. What I can tell you is that the derby loss hurt. We take it seriously. There's nothing within us that thinks 'well, it's just three points and on we go'. It has resonated.
"I spent a couple of hours in a one-on-one lunch recently with Eddie and we talked through a multitude of things, including that.
"Eddie's our manager. I expect to have a great run to the end of the season here and we'll talk about the future when it's time.
"Right now, we're focused on this season's competition."
It was later put to Hopkinson that his response suggested Howe's future would be assessed in the summer.
He said: “I would not frame it that way. We are not looking to make a change at the moment. We are not having those conversations.
"We are still in the midst of the season. Right now we are focused on the seven matches we have remaining and not distracting ourselves with speculation about what we may or may not do in the summer.
"Right now, all of us have only got so much bandwidth and we are focused on this season and finishing strongly.”