EDDIE HOWE has revealed there will be “no mass overhaul” at Newcastle United this summer despite the club’s struggles this season.

The Magpies head to the Etihad Stadium tomorrow to take on Manchester City in an FA Cup quarter-final that is set to be make-or-break in terms of the remainder of the club’s campaign. Win, and Howe’s side can look forward to a cup semi-final at Wembley. Lose, and the final two months of the season will effectively turn into a scramble for a place in the Europa League or Conference League.

Having failed to build on last season’s top-four finish, there is an expectation that there will be major changes this summer. Both Howe and Darren Eales have conceded that a ‘star name’ could leave St James’ Park in the close season, with the Magpies already having been linked with a host of potential signings.

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Howe is confident there will be some business once the transfer window reopens, but has already accepted the club will not be in a position to make wholesale alterations. The Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules continue to have a major influence over Newcastle’s transfer dealings, and while the club’s annual income should increase significantly in next year’s accounts, there currently appears to be little likelihood of that radically changing the current transfer approach.

“Without trying to predict the summer, which is very difficult to do, I don’t see a way we can have a mass overhaul,” admitted Howe. “It's almost impossible because of Financial Fair Play rules.

“Any player that we lose from our squad has to be replaced, and it costs a lot of money to find elite Premier League players. I'm sure there will be trading, but I'm not sure how much.”

Howe revealed that he is not aware of any change in Dan Ashworth’s current position at St James’ Park, despite reports this week suggesting the Newcastle hierarchy were attempting to speed up the sporting director’s anticipated departure to Manchester United.

Ashworth remains on gardening leave, having expressed a desire to leave his current position on Tyneside in order to take up a similar role at Old Trafford, with the two clubs so far having been unable to agree a compensation payment or timescale for his proposed move to the North-West.