Newcastle United evening headlines as Rio Ferdinand and Paul Merson praise Magpies upturn in form

Here are your Newcastle United evening headlines for Tuesday, February 15.

Eddie Howe’s side took another huge step towards Premier League safety on Sunday as they made it three wins in a row with victory against Aston Villa.

It extended the gap between Newcastle and the relegation zone to four points and Kieran Trippier was, once again, the hero on Tyneside.

While he will not be available for a couple of months due to the fractured bone in his foot, his arrival has been the catalyst for the brilliant upturn in form and that hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Speaking on his ‘ Vibe with FIVE’ YouTube show, Rio Ferdinand was singing the praises of the England right-back whilst delivering his relegation verdict.

He said: “Wow, wow. What a signing Trippier has been, two goals, massive goals. Wow.

“I think the three teams now in the bottom three go down. That's it, Newcastle are out.

“Leeds and Brentford could get dragged in, but I think the three teams in the bottom three have got to win too many games and the others have to lose too many.”

Read more here.

Of all the defenders inherited by Howe at Newcastle, it seems Fabian Schar has impressed him the most as he has not missed a minute in the last five Premier League games.

His contract is due to expire in June, leaving the Magpies with a decision to make regarding his future at the club.

According to transfer expert Ekrem Konur on Twitter, the plan is for the Switzerland international to be offered a two-year extension between now and the end of the season.

Central defence is an area that the club are hoping to strengthen in the summer which may leave Schar to assess his options. He will be aware that his current place in the starting XI is very unlikely to be anywhere near secure