Howe makes respect vow ahead of departures

NEWCASTLE United boss Eddie Howe insists he will treat anyone leaving St James' Park this summer with respect ahead of some potential emotional farewells.

- By LEE RYDER

Howe knows he has some decisions to make with contract expiries due, new signings coming in and calls on new deals to be made by sporting director Paul Mitchell.

The Magpies know they can't retain everybody, with long-serving players such as Matt Targett, Sean Longstaff, Callum Wilson and a clutch of younger players approaching a possible crossroads in their careers.

In his time in charge to date, Howe has done something almost unheard of for a Newcastle boss, with bust-ups with players kept to a minimum compared to the soap opera that unfolded prior to his appointment. Only the demotion and release of Ryan Fraser last summer caused any real ripples in the water.