SEAN LONGSTAFF’S contract discussions are nearing completion – with Eddie Howe confident the midfielder will be extending his stay at Newcastle United.

Longstaff’s current deal is due to expire next month, and talks have been ongoing for a number of months in the hope of tying the homegrown 24-year-old down to a new contract.

Those talks have progressed significantly in the last few weeks, and having announced Paul Dummett’s new deal earlier this month, Howe is confident of being able to confirm an agreement with Longstaff soon.

Howe said: “I expect a positive resolution with Sean. Fingers crossed, it’s very close to being done. Day to day, I’m not actually in charge of that, but yeah, fingers crossed we can get it over the line.”