While Tonali's situation is a major talking point, the future of manager Eddie Howe is also under the microscope. Newcastle currently sit 12th in the Premier League table and recently suffered a bruising home defeat to derby rivals Sunderland, leading to questions about whether a change in the dugout is on the horizon this summer. When asked directly about Howe's position, Hopkinson was non-committal regarding the long term.
"I don't have a stance on his future," Hopkinson added. "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 [Howe] 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."