Eddie Howe says Newcastle received’t take Champions League qualification as a right till it’s mathematically confirmed.
The Magpies head into the penultimate weekend of Premier League fixtures in third place after a robust run of current kind.
They head to second-placed Arsenal on Sunday realizing a win – barring a mathematical miracle – can be sufficient for them to safe a spot among the many European elite subsequent season.
However Howe says no-one on Tyneside is getting forward of themselves.
He stated: “It’s not finished but. The image can change recreation to recreation and I feel we’ve obtained to be actually targeted on our subsequent recreation and attempting to win it.
“Our preparation has been good and the main focus is there from the gamers. Nothing is achieved till it’s achieved. We now have to be single minded in that and never get distracted.”
Eddie Howe on chasing UCL qualification:
“It’s not finished but. The image can change recreation to recreation and I feel we’ve obtained to be actually targeted on our subsequent recreation and attempting to win it. We now have been, our preparation has been good and the main focus is there from the gamers. Nothing is… pic.twitter.com/WGI6ljaqLV
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) Might 16, 2025
Botman a doubt for Arsenal conflict
Newcastle received’t have a full squad out there on the Emirates, although.
Joelinton is unlikely to play once more this season, Kieran Trippier is a serious doubt whereas Netherlands centre-half Sven Botman has a knee drawback and can be a late name.
“It was a knock, he obtained a bang on his knee,” Howe stated of Botman. “We’re undecided about Sven’s availability for the weekend however we’ll give him an opportunity to be match.
“We don’t assume it’s a severe damage. He’s been unfortunate. You’re going to get knocks and bruises in his place and this can be a comparable factor, he’s been actually unfortunate on the final two events.
“Kieran I don’t assume can be match for this weekend however once more it’s not a giant damage, a really minor calf drawback.
“Joe [Willock], we’ll depart the door open for him, I feel he’s obtained a slight probability.”
Newcastle squad is mild when accidents happen
Newcastle have chosen to function with a small squad over current seasons and have been lucky to have averted accidents to main gamers this time period.
Howe admits, nevertheless, that that does depart his squad mild when gamers are unavailable.
He added: ”I feel January [transfer window] performed a component in that, we misplaced two gamers from the squad. I feel we have now finished rather well this season to handle a small squad. Our damage file this season has been excellent, partly attributable to having much less video games. We now have managed to maintain nearly all of the gamers match.
“You might be at all times going to get one or two. However I feel we’re within the place with our squad, you get a run of accidents and it will possibly look skinny in a short time. Fingers crossed we are able to keep our energy till the top of the season.”
