Howe insists Newcastle will not be forced to sell star Premier League players

The latest North East sport headlines, from Daniel Wales.

Transcript

00:00Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has fended off claims that the Magpies will need to sell during the summer transfer window

00:07and said that actually Newcastle are looking to strengthen their depth to compete on further fronts next season

00:14when they could be in the Champions League as well as the domestic cups.

00:18I never make those guarantees about any player and it's not to do with Alex's future but I'd be foolish to sit here and do anything like that.

00:26We want to keep our strongest players, I've said that for ever since I've been sat in this seat,

00:30we have to try and keep our best players and bring in more good players to make us even stronger

00:34because the ambition of the club and everyone connected with the club is long-term success

00:38and that's the only way to try and get that.

00:41Yeah, I think it's difficult because as soon as we get one or two injuries we're stretched

00:45and we've said that ever since I've been here and I think everyone's well aware that we are light.

00:52We lost two first-team players in January and didn't replace them

00:55and that's two players gone.

00:58And then you lose Kieran and Joe like we have, Lewis Hall, you notice those players missing

01:04and suddenly you do become, and Alex today, you do become stretched

01:07and then you lose your firepower from the bench to a degree.

01:12And Sunderland head coach Regis Labrides has made clear just how proud he is of his squad

01:18following what has been a memorable season for Sunderland that could still end in promotion

01:23back to the Premier League in the Championship play-off final

01:26after several years away from the top division for the Black Cats.

01:29I'm proud for the club, proud for the players because we worked so well this season

01:35that it's good to go all the way and to live a different experience

01:41and to have this opportunity to be promoted at the end.

01:45So just like it's well deserved because they worked well.

01:49We have talented players in the squad.

01:51They are really well connected.

01:52So we want to live this journey all the way.

01:59It started probably with previous experiences

02:02and now this ambition was really clear and sensitive during the season

02:09so they deserve.

02:11Now the question is to win the last game.