Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe says that Matt Ritchie and Paul Dummett were “not risked” against the A-League All Stars because he did not want to harm their chances of a potential move elsewhere.
Howe stated that neither has been offered a contract and may be leaving the club unless the Magpies qualify for the Europa Conference League. It means that Newcastle’s budget is riding on the FA Cup final and unless Man City beat Man United, the duo are likely to be released.
Howe told Chronicle Live here in Melbourne: “They are out of contract. So for obvious reasons, it would have been a big risk with no contract offer for them at the moment.
“A lot of is riding on the FA Cup final for the club. In terms of revenue for next year and European qualification will be massive for us. I am sure that will play a part in the futures of the two players we are speaking about.”
Newcastle were hammered 8-0 in their second Australian friendly, comfortably beaten by an A-League All Stars XI in Melbourne. Howe felt his young XI, with an average age of 21, “tailed off” before the more senior Aussie side took full advantage.
The Newcastle boss said: “It was always going to be difficult. It was really good for the young lads to go through that today.
“The biggest difference was physically in the last part of the game where they could bring substitutions on. They look good and stronger for it and we tailed off quite badly. There’s a lot of individual growth there from that game.”
“Today was about giving an opportunity to young players and to see who out of that group could next year play a part in our first team. It is difficult to fully analyse every single player. Collectively we weren’t strong enough.
“I am sure some of the players will look back on the day and feel there is a lot more to do to get to the first team.”
