Still a lot to play for for Howe’s Toon

EDDIE Howe knows Newcastle United can send out a strong message to their Premier League rivals with wins in their final two games of the season.

The Magpies can still finish in the top half of the table, if results go their way elsewhere, which would be a remarkable achievement given their dismal start to the campaign.

The main aim of finishing in the top half is, of course, the financial benefit it would bring the Magpies, with last year’s ninth place rewarding Leeds United with £23 million.

Newcastle can still leapfrog Brighton – who are currently in ninth and four points ahead – but need two wins from their final two games and some favours from elsewhere.

Finishing in the top half would send out a message to their rivals ahead of next season.

Eddie Howe’s side have picked up 32 points since the turn of the year, behind Liverpool, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, placing them fourth in the table for 2022 alone.

Newcastle are already an attractive proposition for players given the takeover earlier this season, but where the Magpies finish may still have a bearing on incoming transfers.

If Howe’s side are able to close the gap to the European places, they may well be able to lure players already playing in the likes of the Europa Conference League and the Europa League to Tyneside.

The higher the Magpies finish, the more money that comes into the club, the easier it in theory should be to comply with financial fair play in relation to signings.

Not only will St James’ Park be seen as an attractive project, the Toon can also send out a warning to the likes of Arsenal, who they are set to play this weekend.

The Gunners themselves are fighting for the final Champions League spot and are in pole position, but still have to play North London rivals Tottenham.

A win for Antonio Conte’s side would close the gap to one point before Arsenal travel to Tyneside on Monday.

Mikel Arteta’s side have flirted with the the top four in the Premier League in recent seasons but have had to resort with Europa League football, before missing out entirely this season.

There’s no reason the Magpies can’t compete with the Gunners for European football next season, especially if recruitment is as effective as it was in the January window.