A few days off then it’s back to business

EDDIE Howe handed his players two days off to recuperate over the bank holiday weekend – but the hard work will resume again at Benton this week.

Newcastle are in a solid enough position in the Premier League but are not mathematically assured of their top-flight place next season.

As things stand Burnley, Leeds and Everton could still overtake them but they would need to win all of their games and a total collapse from United would have to unfold.

Howe is therefore eager to ensure to the intensity levels don’t drop in the final three games.

Squad goals still include bettering last season’s points tally and achieving the highest points total since promotion in 2017.

Howe was not fully satisfied with the outcome of the Liverpool game despite some positive signs.

Howe said: “I would say there has been progress. I think we have improved in a lot of aspects of our play but I think the Liverpool result also shows there is a gap we have to bridge to the top teams. “I am not surprised by that – I don’t think anyone else is. We have work to do.”

Howe was looking for more from some of his talented individuals against Jurgen Klopp’s side. Allan Saint-Maximin never quite found a way through against Liverpool.

Bruno Guimaraes also suffered a slight dip in his recent levels and Miguel Almiron lacked spark. Howe did not go down the road of singling out anybody but did add: “The biggest disappointment probably is individually I don’t think we really excelled. I thought the team was okay, we were in the game right to the end, but to win these games you need probably six or seven performers right at their top levels and that was not there.”

Kieran Trippier’s fitness levels will be assessed this week with the England defender itching to be involved. He had just one session last week after recovering from a foot injury.

However, he will rejoin the group this week and Howe will make a judgement call on the ex-Atletico Madrid full-back this week.

He insisted on Friday he would not risk either Trippier or striker Callum Wilson in the final three games if he had even a slight doubt they were not ready.