With European football guaranteed to be returning to St James’ Park next season, Eddie Howe and the Newcastle hierarchy have a tough decision to make in regards to their current squad.
Starting with two players who have seen their time at Newcastle hampered by repeated injury woes face an uncertain future; Callum Wilson and Jamaal Lascelles.
Wilson has only started two games in all competitions this campaign, whilst club captain Lascelles hasn’t featured in over a year since the 4-3 win over West Ham back in March 2024 and sounds unlikely to play again this season based on Howe’s comments earlier today.
Waugh reveals that Newcastle do have the option to extend Wilson’s contract by an additional 12 months, but that is considered an unlikely route as things stand, suggesting he’s on course to depart at the end of the season.
Lascelles’ leadership experience is an excellent asset within the changing room and Howe is conscious of his off-field influence, but with Schar extending and a new centre-back set to sign this summer, this is likely to be his last season on Tyneside.
Schar set to stay
Eddie Howe hinted this morning that a new deal is ‘imminent’ for Fabian Schar and the same was said by Waugh in the latest Q&A after ‘progress’ was made on a contract extension.
The Swiss has been an ever-present in the Toon defence alongside Dan Burn lately and his recent retirement from international duty makes Newcastle his sole commitment.
That said, a young, right-sided centre-back to compete with and eventually replace him appears to be high up on club’s transfer plans.
Lewis’ future all but confirmed, keepers could carry on
After an unfortunate stint in South America for Brazilian side São Paulo was cut short by injury, the writing looks to be on the wall for Jamal Lewis.
The Northern Irishman remains injured and will be released this summer, bringing to an end a disappointing stint on Tyneside following a £15m move from Norwich back in 2020.
Newcastle’s goalkeeper situation heading into the summer is interesting however: Nick Pope has regained his starting position after his Carabao Cup heroics, and Martin Dubravka saw his own contract extended after an exceptional spell over the winter.
With James Trafford widely tipped to join from Burnley, the futures of John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie hinge on one thing: Dubravka staying.
In spite of his extension, the Slovakian shot-stopper could still make the move to Saudi Arabia or elsewhere in search of the first team football that his form warrants – which looks like it would warrant one or both of Ruddy and Gillespie staying for the sake of squad depth.
