The key Newcastle players at risk of the chop ahead of next season

Newcastle United could lose a good number of its key players as manager Eddie Howe spoke about the need to trim his squad this week.

Howe has been avoiding giving details about his playing unit in general and their futures at the Magpies, however, some notably figures believed to be  leaving the club at the end of the current campaign have been highlighted.  

The tactician is keen on reshaping his team for effective competition in domestic and European competitions in future.

Speaking at the weekend, Howe said: “Every summer I have been in management I have had difficult decisions to make at the end of a season,” he said.

“Players that you love and have a great relationship with, sometimes have to leave for the benefit of the team. This season is no different.

“I am sure there will be players who leave who have represented the club in a brilliant way. But those decisions can wait for the end of the season.

“Right now it is about making judgements and assessments on everybody I am working with. Training, the training ground is an important place, I am making judgments there and on days like today I am making judgments on performances I see, that is natural.”

Newcastle United players that could move out are;  Matt Ritchie. Ritchie has been Howe’s key squad member but the two could cut links in the summer.

Central defender Federico Fernandez is also mostl likely to find his way out of Newcastle in the latest development.

Ciaran Clark is also reported to be packing out of Newcastle United in the summer, as well as forward  Dwight Gayle.