EDDIE HOWE insists every member of the Newcastle United squad still has an opportunity to secure a long-term future at the club.

The Magpies have a number of players either reaching the end of their contract this summer or in the final 18 months of their current deals, and there have been suggestions this week that a number of senior figures could be heading for the exit door this summer.

Loris Karius, Mark Gillespie, Paul Dummett, Jamaal Lascelles and Matt Ritchie are all currently due to become free agents at the end of the season, while the likes of Martin Dubrava, Kieran Trippier, Dan Burn and Callum Wilson will enter the final year of the contract in the close season.

READ MORE:

Howe admits that preliminary discussions have taken place with a number of players, but is adamant he has not closed the door on anyone as he and the rest of the club’s recruitment team begin to firm up their future plans.

“I wouldn’t speak on every individual player,” said the Magpies boss. “But conversations will be happening, and possibly have even already happened regarding those individual players.

“Everybody that’s in our squad now has an opportunity to remain in our squad next year, regardless of their contract situation. Have we already made a decision on anyone, and decided they won’t be offered a new deal? Absolutely not.”

With Dan Ashworth now on gardening leave amid ongoing interest from Manchester United, Howe is likely to take a more hands-on role with contractual and recruitment discussions in the next few months, working closely with chief executive Darren Eales and co-owners Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi.

Ashworth’s anticipated departure is far from ideal, but Howe is confident it will not have a significant adverse impact on the club’s business.

“I haven’t had too many meetings regarding the summer as yet, but I’m sure they’ll gather pace now we’re moving closer to the summer window,” said Howe. “They’ll be unaffected by Dan’s exit.”