Howe will face the media in a press conference at Newcastle United's media centre on Friday morning
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe(Image: Europa Press via Getty Images)
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Eddie Howe will face the media for a pre-match press conference for the first time in three weeks on Friday morning ahead of Newcastle United's trip to face Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Sunday afternoon.
After a period of seven months between September and March where Howe was facing the media four times a week given the club's gruelling fixture schedule, it has been slightly jarring not to hear from the United boss for such an extended period of time.
But after the manner of Newcastle's Champions League exit in Barcelona and the furious reaction to their derby defeat to Sunderland at St James' Park last month, it is perhaps a break that has been needed.
If the Magpies are to finish the season strongly and qualify for European football next season, the time off has to have been used as a reset rather than time to dwell on the frustration of what has been an arduous campaign.
In that time, the club's financial accounts have been released, CEO David Hopkinson has spoken about the future of Howe and a number of Newcastle's star players and club legend Kieran Trippier has announced he is leaving the club at the end of the season.
It should mean there is lots to talk about in Howe's first media briefing in April and, with that in mind, Chronicle Live have drawn up the six key issues Howe must address.
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His own future after Hopkinson comments
Howe's future at Newcastle was thrust into full focus after losing to Sunderland. His credit in the bank was huge after a trophy win and securing Champions League qualification twice in three years and that had staved off a lot of the discontent surrounding this season.
But a second derby defeat to Sunderland led to boos inside the stadium and despite a lot of mitigating factors to placate the struggles domestically this season, the fact Newcastle begin the weekend in 12th place with seven matches to go is an unacceptable position to find themselves in.
Howe knows that, and so, too, does Hopkinson who left a lot of room for interpretation with his comments on his head coach's future.
"I don't have a stance on his future," Hopkinson said. "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."
The backing was hardly unequivocal but it is understood that Howe retains the backing of Hopkinson and sporting director Ross Wilson and is expected to lead the rebuild in the summer.
That won't stop questions over how he responds to Hopkinson's comments over his future, though.
Newcastle United CEO David Hopkinson and head coach Eddie Howe
Newcastle United CEO David Hopkinson and head coach Eddie Howe(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
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Transfer status of star players
Hopkinson also intimated Newcastle would be more prepared to sell some of their star players, should it come down to it, than they were last summer when Alexander Isak's transfer to Liverpool dragged on for far too long and impacted their season.
But any exits will be done on the club's terms and the likes of Tino Livramento, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes and Lewis Hall have all been linked with transfer exits in the summer.
Howe will be quizzed about their futures and asked if there has been any development in the last three weeks.
Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United arrives at St James' Park
Sandro Tonali of Newcastle United arrives at St James' Park
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Sunderland response
For all Howe has achieved as Newcastle manager, losing twice to Sunderland in one season is a blot on his copy book he could have done without. Off the back of a second half capitulation in Barcelona four days earlier, it could not have been more ill-timed and with seven games to now save their Premier League season, the response to that disappointment is going to be key.
For the first time since August, Howe has had proper contact time on the training ground with his players and in the six games beyond this weekend's trip to Crystal Palace, he will have a full week to prepare for each fixture.
Everything will be scrutinised at Selhurst Park, from Howe's demeanour, to the attitude and desire of his players, to improvements on the pitch and the team Howe selects.
He will be asked about all of that as he looks to put the derby day disappointment into his rear view mirror.
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe watches on as his side loses to Sunderland
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe watches on as his side loses to Sunderland(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
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Injury latest
Newcastle were hit with the blow that Sven Botman will be missing for a few weeks with the facial injury he picked up in the defeat to Sunderland.
But they could be able to welcome back Guimaraes, Lewis Miley and Fabian Schar from long term injury problems this weekend and Howe will be asked about all three of those players' fitness levels.
Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United
Bruno Guimaraes of Newcastle United (Image: 2026 Newcastle United)
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Woltemade comments
"It bothers me. If someone claims that I’m in a slump, I’d argue that this person doesn’t watch many Newcastle games.
"I know people associate me with goals, but you can’t compare a striker’s tally with that of a midfielder playing 50, 60, 70 metres from the opponent’s goal. I’m currently a completely different Nick Woltemade than I was at the start of the season. Right now, I should be judged by how I handle duels or secure space."
Those were the comments of Nick Woltemade during the international break as he addressed his lack of goals in 2026 and his move into midfield.
Many would argue the Woltemade midfield experiment hasn't worked and has only served to shatter his confidence as a striker. With Newcastle set to have a full compliment of midfielders back fit, surely Woltemade will return to being used as a forward?
That is a question Howe will have to field and whether Woltemade, the striker, still fits his idea of the club and, ultimately, the manager.
Newcastle United forward Nick Woltemade
Newcastle United forward Nick Woltemade(Image: News Images/NurPhoto)
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Trippier exit
Trippier announced he would be leaving the club after four-and-a-half years this summer at the end of his current contract and he will go down as a club legend for the impact he has had on Newcastle since his arrival from Atletico Madrid in January 2022.
His relationship with Howe is really close, having worked together at Burnley earlier in their careers, and Howe will no doubt be asked about his impact at the club, why they are parting ways and the role he will play between now and the end of the season.