NEWCASTLE and Middlesbrough enjoyed a positive Saturday, but the same can't be said of Sunderland, who ended a miserable season in disappointing fashion.

The Black Cats are now moving into a crucial summer, where their striker woes will need to be addressed - once the head coach uncertainty is resolved. The striker situation is discussed in this week's North East Notes. On the subject of strikers, Middlesbrough's Emmanuel Latte Lath enjoyed a blistering end to the season - and there's as much excitement about the Ivorian in the Boro dressing room as there is the stands. 

He features below, as do Boro's group of budding coaches, but we'll start with Newcastle.

NEWCASTLE'S PRE-SEASON PLANS - by Scott Wilson

Newcastle United’s pre-season plans are coming together, with the club understood to be close to signing off on a two-game trip to Japan.

The Magpies are jetting off to Australia at the end of this month for exhibition matches against Tottenham and an A-League All Stars team, and they are set to be on their travels again later this summer.

Plans are in place for a game against Urawa Reds at the end of July, with the Saitama Stadium, north of Tokyo, understood to have been lined up for the fixture.

Newcastle are then set to remain in Japan for a second friendly game, with talks having taken place to set up a match with Yokohama F Marinos in early August. That game is due to take place at Japan’s National Stadium.

Planning for the trip is at an advanced stage, and while it is still be officially signed off, a final decision is expected to be made in the next few days.

Prior to heading to Japan, Eddie Howe and his players are set to head to continental Europe for a training camp. At this stage, that trip looks likely to be training only, without any official friendly games in front of a crowd.

SUNDERLAND STRIKER CLUE

The immediate focus after Sunderland's disastrous end to a desperately disappointing season is obviously on the head coach situation and who'll take charge.

But whoever it is who gets the gig, there's absolutely no doubt he'll be asked about the striker situation in his unveiling.

Sunderland desperately need to strengthen their forward line this summer, but - not for the first time - there was a strong hint from Mike Dodds in his press conference this week that the Black Cats won't necessarily be going out and signing a number nine in the coming months.

He said: "In terms of strikers, there aren't many what I'd call traditional number nines.

"I can't think of many traditional number nines and they are hugely hugely expensive because there are so few of them.

"I've said this before, the number nine situation has been talked about a lot this season, and rightly so, because goals have been something we've struggled with. I

"I don't feel the answer is we have to find a number nine, we have to find more attacking options with more variation. The attackers have to be more consistent."

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MIDDLESBROUGH'S FUTURE COACHES

There are a strong group of budding coaches in the Middlesbrough squad right now - and they're currently in the process of working through their UEFA B Licence.

Jonny Howson, Darragh Lenihan, Tommy Smith and Dan Barlaser are all taking their first steps into coaching in the future.

The PFA are running a bespoke course with Boro players, staff and scholars, who, as part of their education, have been leading sessions with the club's young academy sides.

Head coach Michael Carrick is extremely supportive of the players and staff, with Howson revealing recently that he's had numerous lengthy sit down chats with his gaffer to discuss a potential move into coaching in the future.

Carrick has also invited those who are on the coaching course to come and join himself and his backroom team in their opposition analysis work in the build-up to recent games.

LATTE LATH EXCITEMENT

On the subject of Howson, Boro's captain was a guest on the Twe12thman Podcast earlier this week, which is well worth a listen if you haven't already.

And it's safe to say he's as excited as supporters about what Emmanuel Latte Lath could achieve on Teesside next season.

Boro's striker signed off for the summer with a goal against Watford on Saturday, taking his tally to 11 in 12 games after returning from injury.

"I think his recent form since he's come back has been unbelievable," said Howson.

"The finish against Cardiff. There was the pace to pull away while dribbling with the ball, the confidence, the way he's finished it, but the technique and ability to do it.

"That sums him up where he is. We're all very excited. If he can carry that form into next season let's be honest we potentially have a striker who can be the top scorer in the league. It's a big ask but if he can have that same form for a full season, he's going to be."