Eddie Howe's warning to Newcastle United players ahead of Premier League run-in

Eddie Howe has delivered a strong message to his squad ahead of the final nine matches of the season in the Premier League. The Magpies head into the run-in closer to the top half of the table than the relegation zone but they are still at least four points shy of what many deem to be the safety tally this term.

And it won't get any easier at Spurs this weekend against a team in Champions League contention. Despite having three matches ahead of them against Wolves, Leicester and then Crystal Palace, Howe is convinced that his side are still facing a threat of the drop.

Howe said: "We're in a relegation battle and I don't say that in any way without meaning it. We need points and we have a very tough run of fixtures ahead of us.

"We have a difficult run-in so I think we have to maximise every game. We have a difficult spell of games and a lot of away games, I think that is underestimated how difficult that period has been.

"Especially around the Chelsea and Everton games, it felt like we were constantly on the road. "So we are pleased to have had the time away to reset and really focus on the nine games."