It could be a make or break period for these Newcastle United players
Newcastle United's Yoane Wissa, Eddie Howe and Nick Woltemade
Newcastle United's Yoane Wissa, Eddie Howe and Nick Woltemade
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In a season that has seen Newcastle reach another cup semi-final and play Champions League knockout round football for the first time in their history, the next seven matches could be the most important yet.
While Newcastle may be out of all of the cup competitions now, Eddie Howe knows he has to finish the season strongly in the Premier League to quieten the noise surrounding his future at the club.
Newcastle's second half collapse in Barcelona in the Champions League last month was followed by a second derby defeat of the season at the hands of Sunderland in what was a bruising five days for the club. They have since had time to regroup and they know they have to improve on their current standing of 12th in the Premier League table when the season ends in May.
Newcastle still harbour ambitions of qualifying for Europe next term but with four points between themselves and the top eight, they know they have very little margin for error in the final seven matches of the season.
With a bit of a rebuild set to take place in the summer, there are a number of Magpies players playing for their futures at St James' Park, too, and with that in mind, we have taken a look at six players who will be looking to prove a point in the final two months of the season.
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Fabian Schar
After the announcement last week that Kieran Trippier will leave the club at the end of his contract, Schar's future beyond this season has been brought back into focus.
The 34-year-old defender is expected to return to action this month after missing three months through injury and he has seven matches to prove he is worthy of a one-year extension at the club.
Schar's quality is undoubted and Howe has previously described him as a leader among the group. He expressed frustration at a lack of game-time earlier in the season, though, and the question remains whether he will be happy playing second choice to Malick Thiaw again next term.
Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar
Newcastle United defender Fabian Schar(Image: Iain Buist/Chronicle Live)
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Willock had plenty of suitors in January, with Crystal Palace and Leeds United among the Premier League clubs interested in his services.
Howe told Chronicle Live in February he was delighted to retain Willock's services and while he has put in some decent performances this term, it is hard to argue against the fact he is at the bottom of the pecking order when it comes to Newcastle's six midfield options.
Out of all the midfielders at the club, it feels like he has the most to prove in the final seven matches. With everyone back fit and the schedule back down to one game a week, though, those chances could be few and far between.
Joe Willock of Newcastle United celebrates scoring against PSG
Joe Willock celebrates his goal against PSG(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
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Ramsdale recently regained the number one spot off Nick Pope and now looks likely to have a clear run in goal between now and the end of the season, though.
While Pope will be at Newcastle when the club returns to pre-season in July, at present, Ramsdale won't be. The England international goalkeeper is only on loan from Southampton and there is no obligation for Newcastle to turn it into a permanent deal.
The jury is still out over Ramsdale's capability and he has a lot to prove in the last seven matches to convince Newcastle he should make Tyneside his permanent home.
Newcastle United's Aaron Ramsdale warms up at Barcelona
Newcastle United's Aaron Ramsdale warms up at Barcelona(Image: Getty Images)
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It feels bizarre that a club record signing who has scored 10 goals in all competitions in his first season in English football has seven games to play for his future but here we are.
Woltemade is a fantastic footballer but as a forward for Newcastle United, in their current guise, there is unease over whether the two parties will truly every mash successfully together.
After a two-month midfield experiment, the return of key players to fitness in that area should see him go back up front between now and the end of the season. How that turns out will have a big say on where that leaves his future, with Borussia Dortmund the latest club linked with his signature.
Newcastle United forward Nick Woltemade
Newcastle United forward Nick Woltemade(Image: News Images/NurPhoto)
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Perhaps more worrying is how little impact Yoane Wissa has made at Newcastle. The Premier League ready forward who scored 20 goals for Brentford last season took three months to recover from injury and has scored just three times in the four months since.
Given the money spent to bring a 29-year-old to the club, the gamble hasn't paid off and unless Newcastle can get him firing again there has to be serious question marks over whether they persist with him or write off his time at the club as an expensive mistake.
Yoane Wissa of Newcastle United
Yoane Wissa of Newcastle United(Image: Michelle Mercer/Newcastle United via Getty Images)
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Osula so nearly joined Eintracht Frankfurt last summer and has played a bit-part role again this season at Newcastle.
The 22-year-old has flattered to deceive as a forward but hasn't shown enough to be a wide option either, despite a fantastic match winning goal against Manchester United. If a sizeable offer arrives again in the summer, Osula may have to go some in the final seven matches to convince Newcastle not to take it.