Newcastle United officials have firmly rebuffed claims that Eddie Howe will leave at the end of the season. Suggestions from former Sky Sports presenter Richard Keys that the head coach had "gone" were dismissed late on Saturday night. The message emanating from St James' Park remains unchanged from before, that Howe retains support from those at the top of the club.

Howe did himself no harm whatsoever by seeing off Brighton and Hove Albion in front of 52,000 supporters on Saturday. Following the final whistle, Toon supremo Yasir Al-Rumayyan made his way to the dressing room area to reassure both squad and staff that there was a bright future ahead. PIF have since returned to Riyadh, departing Tyneside following Al-Rumayyan's appearance on the pitch alongside director Jamie Reuben. The delegation made their way back to the Middle East after their visit to Tyneside, which gave the club a lift.

Having been the first to arrive on Saturday morning, Howe was also the last member of the playing and coaching staff to head home, having laid the groundwork for next week's training schedule and the upcoming fixture against Nottingham Forest.

When quizzed on what the Toon supremo had said to the group after the match, Howe replied: "He spoke with the players after the game and spoke really well about his plans for the future and how committed he and everyone is to the football club, long-term growth and exciting times ahead. So that was great to see."

Howe had said on Friday: "I would have thought there is unity within the football club, but of course, in my position, I am under no illusions I have to get results to keep that feeling, that strength and that trust and that will be regardless of whatever moment we're in. I am well aware there is a responsibility that comes with the job."

Yet there is a genuine recognition that Newcastle cannot permit their recent poor form to persist and that next season there can be no excuses, according to Chronicle Live.

Howe has acknowledged this himself and, following a slide into the bottom half of the table, wants a big improvement.

Keys had pointed at a screen with Howe's name on and said: "I think there's going to be significant change in the Premier League.

"I've been making a number of calls, and having spoken to a number of high-end sources, I think he's [Howe] gone. I think he's gone.

"Ten days before LIV collapsed, people were backing LIV. I think he's gone."

However, it's since been reported that no high-level discussions regarding Howe's future have taken place.

Newcastle's hierarchy also firmly deny that any media briefings suggesting Howe's potential departure have occurred.

Reflecting on the spirit within the squad, Howe had said: "I think we've been building towards that for a few weeks. I think the training has been really strong, really committed, very competitive and I'm a big believer that you always end up getting your rewards for that if your work continues to be strong.

"Credit to the players for sticking together, staying united, behind the scenes they've been excellent.

"The feelings and emotions of trying to put it right, trying to find solutions and answers, get through to the players and connect with them in a different way.

"In difficult moments I try to focus on what's going to put it right, rather than anger and blame. I take the responsibility myself.

"It's been hard for my family because they see the intimate side of me behind closed doors. I haven't been a bundle of joy the past few weeks, so I am pleased for them as well."

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