EDDIE Howe believes Newcastle United have rediscovered their identity and is desperate to build on the positives of the last week and secure European football for next season.

At times this season - not helped by an injury crisis that decimated the squad - the Magpies have looked unrecognisable from the side that stormed into the Champions League last term.

United went into the international break on the back of a 3-2 Premier League defeat at Chelsea and a tepid FA Cup exit at Manchester City, but have picked up four points from six since the return.

Tuesday night's draw with Everton was desperately frustrating for the Magpies - with the Toffees snatching a point from the penalty spot late on - but Howe was still encouraged by much of what he saw and believes United are now starting to look like a side he recognises once more.

“When you rewind to a few weeks ago, I think the last two performances in particular have been very strong," said the head coach.

"I think the general attitude and the way we are trying to play is back. The identity is clear.

"You can see from our performances what we are trying to deliver. For a spell, I think it was missing.

"I’ve said in many press conferences, I’m looking for performance. Between now and the end of the season, I’m looking for us to be ourselves and grow into next season. I think it was a positive performance (against Everton) despite the disappointing end."

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Newcastle will look to build on the positives of the two home games when they travel to the capital to face Fulham on Saturday afternoon.

Marco Silva's side will be smarting from their disappointing midweek defeat at Nottingham Forest and have won only one of their last four, but Howe said: “Every game in the Premier League, home or away, is very difficult. There’s no certainty to anything so you have to earn every point.

"It’s four points not six (from the last two home games), and we definitely wanted six. I think we deserved six. But four is a positive step forward and now we go to a tough away game."

Newcastle's hopes of a second successive season in the Champions League have long disappeared but United are still in with a strong shout of securing European football and are playing for a place in either the Europa League or the Europa Conference League.

Howe said: “We’re looking for Europe, I’ve said that many times. We’re determined to try to get there, and very motivated to try to finish the season well.”