EDDIE HOWE is hoping the sights and sounds of a sold-out St James’ Park will help convince transfer targets to sign up for Newcastle United’s European adventure next season.

The Magpies will return to continental competition for the first time in more than a decade this autumn, and Howe accepts there will have to be a significant amount of squad strengthening this summer to enable the club to compete on European and domestic fronts.

While the on-field progress that has been evident this season will clearly help Newcastle attract potential signings, and finances will also be a factor, Howe is keen to talk up the importance of the St James’ Park atmosphere and the way in which the club’s supporters have been a key part of this year’s success.

The matchday experience at St James’ has changed out of all recognition since Amanda Staveley’s Saudi Arabia-backed consortium replaced Mike Ashley in the boardroom, something that has not gone unnoticed within the wider footballing world.

“I’m sure it helps,” said Howe, who was speaking ahead of this evening's final home game of the season against Leicester City, where a draw will be sufficient to guarantee a Champions League place.

“When people are watching, wherever they are in the world, they are seeing an incredible spectacle and they are sampling the St James’ Park atmosphere and feeling.

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“You can see the togetherness of the whole club. Hopefully, they are also seeing a team perform well and see that Newcastle is a great place to play football at the moment.”

With his side back in Europe, and having spent the vast majority of the season sitting in the top six, Howe accepts expectations will be set at a significantly higher level next term.

“The expectation is the challenge,” he said. “Suddenly, everything is raised, and that then becomes normal.

“If you finish fourth, fifth or sixth, then anything below that is then viewed as a failure - and that is very difficult, because the challenge of the Premier League is so tough. But that’s for next year, not now.”