5 Newcastle stars who may never play another minute as Eddie Howe plots moves

Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United recently celebrated a triumphant moment in the Carabao Cup final, but behind the scenes, the spotlight shone on a touching gesture by Bruno Guimarães and Kieran Trippier.

Despite not featuring in a single match this season, club captain Jamaal Lascelles was invited to lift the trophy on the Wembley balcony alongside his teammates. Lascelles has been sidelined for the entire campaign due to an anterior cruciate ligament injury.

While Howe confirmed that the skipper is in the final stages of his recovery, it remains uncertain whether he will make it back onto the pitch before his contract expires in a few months. This heartfelt moment highlighted the unity and respect within the squad, even for those who haven’t been able to contribute on the field this season.

Another player whose future at Newcastle seems uncertain is goalkeeper Mark Gillespie. Since joining the club from Motherwell in 2020, Gillespie has made only three appearances, all during the 2020/21 Carabao Cup campaign.

With Nick Pope, Martin Dubravka, Odysseas Vlachodimos, and John Ruddy ahead of him in the pecking order, Gillespie finds himself as low as fifth-choice goalkeeper. His contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and a move elsewhere might provide him with the opportunity for more regular game time.

Similarly, John Ruddy, who joined Newcastle in July after his contract at Birmingham City expired, has yet to make a single appearance. The veteran goalkeeper signed a one-year deal, but all indications suggest he will depart in the summer.

Jamal Lewis, the left-back who embarked on a loan move to Brazilian side São Paulo, saw his stint cut short due to an ankle injury. After just three months in South America, Lewis returned to England and is unlikely to feature again this season.

São Paulo holds an option to buy him outright, but with the club already securing a new left-back for the 2025 campaign, the chances of that happening appear slim. Lewis’ contract with Newcastle expires this summer, signaling a likely end to his time at the club.

On the other hand, Matt Targett might see some minutes before the season concludes. The defender came off the bench during Newcastle’s FA Cup fifth-round defeat to Brighton and could feature as a substitute, especially with Lewis Hall’s injury and the possibility of Tino Livramento needing rest.

Targett has one year remaining on his contract but has struggled to secure a regular spot since Howe’s arrival. A parting of ways this summer could prove mutually beneficial for both the player and the club.

As Newcastle continues to build under Eddie Howe’s leadership, the futures of several players remain up in the air. While the Carabao Cup victory brought joy to the team, the coming months will be crucial in shaping the squad for the challenges ahead.