EDDIE Howe won't shirk the "tough" transfer decisions that he knows he'll have to make this summer, with the Newcastle head coach admitting he can't rule out the possibility of today being a St James' Park farewell for some members of his squad.

The Magpies host Brighton this afternoon (3pm) in their last home game of the season, with United looking to strengthen their grip on sixth-place and increase the pressure on Tottenham above them.

Howe yesterday stressed the importance of Newcastle keeping star duo Alexander Isak and Bruno Guimaraes on Tyneside this summer but he did admit exits are inevitable in order for the Magpies to strengthen their squad.

Matt Ritchie, Paul Dummett and Loris Karius are approaching the final weeks of their current contracts, while the long-term future of the likes of Miguel Almiron and Callum Wilson remains uncertain as things stand.

So could today be the final time Newcastle's home fans get to see some players in black and white?

"I don't know," said Howe.

"I've not thought about that. With football, you never know. I can't rule that out and say absolutely not because, in some respects, I'm not in control of everything so possibly. I wouldn't make a big deal of that. I'm not saying that's a certainty."

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Howe values the togetherness and spirit in Newcastle's tight-knit squad but won't shy away from making some difficult summer calls when it comes to transfers and contracts.

"That has to be part of your role as a manager," he said.

"You have to make decisions for the football club - not for the individuals. Every decision I try to make is for the benefit of the club and, of course, there are some tough decisions in that. There are some decisions you make where you're going to hurt people or upset people or people might question those decisions, but it's important in my heart and my soul that I feel it's the right thing for the club."

There's clearly a decision to be made on Wilson this summer, with the striker entering the final 12 months of his current contract. Howe still sees the former Bournemouth man as a key member of his squad and is desperate to keep him but with the Magpies needing to balance the books in order to comply with the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules, the striker's future is uncertain.

Howe acknowledges that both football and finance need to be taken into account this summer, but insists that won't result in any behind the scenes tension.

He said: "There is always a different view point. I have one as a manager trying to win football matches and the club have to be sustainable and comply with the rules and financial fair play. So we work together as a team on that.

"There is no part of me that will ever go against the club, and there is no part of the club who would willingly go against me if they didn’t think it was the right things for the long term future.

"We are very much a team and the relationship, the dynamics of that have worked well since I have been here. We are wanting to push the team as far as we can obviously within the rules."

Newcastle are looking to sign off at St James' Park with their 13th home win of the season this afternoon as the Magpies close in on European qualification.

Howe said: "We are competing for something; we are in the mix. We have three games in a massive week for us, it will go down to the wire. We back ourselves, we are in a good place."

"We have loved playing at home this season, I have been really pleased with how we have performed at home. We have a good feel, good energy and been very aggressive in our play. We are thankful for the support we have received from the fans."