Howe: I’d rather we weren’t heading Down Under

EDDIE HOWE has joined Gareth Southgate in voicing concerns about Newcastle’s post-season trip to Australia. England boss Southgate has questioned the wisdom of the Magpies flying out to face Tottenham in the two-match tour next month, three days after the end of the Premier League season. Both clubs are signed-up to take full squads on the 21,000-mile round trip Down Under, including Toon duo Kieran Trippier and Anthony Gordon, and Spurs midfielder James Maddison — who are in contention to make Southgate’s squad for Euro 2024. Howe is worried about the added demands on his players at the end of an injury-ridden campaign. Asked if he wanted to go, the Newcastle boss said: ‘Being honest, in my position, this is something from a physical perspective after a long season that we probably wouldn’t want to do.’ Spurs will return home after the Melbourne friendly but Newcastle will remain for an exhibition match with the A-League All Stars on May 24. Howe will put his concerns aside to help raise revenue and boost Newcastle’s profile. He added: ‘If the club say we’re going, then I’m in 100 per cent. We’re moving forward very quickly and we have to keep a pace so, when asked to do such things, we’ll do it.’ Howe insists Newcastle will go a long way to keeping hold of their stars by showing ambition this summer. The Magpies face a fight to hang on to £60million record signing Alexander Isak, linked with Arsenal and Tottenham, and midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, a target for Paris Saint-Germain. Howe expects a tough transfer market due to restrictions imposed by financial fair play rules but insists Newcastle must signal their intent with the calibre of player they bring in. He added: ‘You set your ambitions not just in terms of talking but with actions, so we need to show we’re moving forward. It’s going to be difficult. If a player can double his wages elsewhere, you are already in a difficult position.’