'Want your squad number? - fight for it', the strong message to Newcastle United's long serving stars

Nobby Solano has delivered a message to the Newcastle United players that can't get into Eddie Howe's team at the moment. The United legend was on board at St James' Park during a series of rebuilds at the club but survived those culls to be a regular and play 237 games in his first stint at the club then 81 more when he returned in 2005.

Solano sees a lot of comparisons to then and now and with players that have helped establish the club in the Premier League like Jamaal Lascelles, Matt Ritchie, Ciaran Clark, Sean Longstaff and Dwight Gayle all currently on the sidelines, the South American has offered his advice.

Solano told Chronicle Live: "If you want your squad number - fight for it. That is what football is about these days.

"You are in competition and you have to be professional. "The players need to be together, and if you don't start a game you need to stay fit and be ready in case you are asked to play 15 minutes or 20 minutes or whatever. It is a long season. I believe Eddie Howe is building that positive environment.

"He wants people to be in a positive frame of mind. People can't be angry or grumpy if they don't play. Players need to wait for their opportunity. If it comes for half an hour you take it."

Newcastle now have nine games to go in the Premier League and could yet snatch a top 10 finish if they put their mind to it. Solano was part of Glenn Roeder's side that climbed from the relegation zone up to seventh place in just five months.

So how can such a feat be repeated this time around? Solano added: "The only one thing that Eddie Howe will want is for his players to be together. That is how you are successful.

"Without this, you can't get results. "Look at somebody like Jamaal Lascelles, now he