Eddie Howe desperate to end club’s long trophy drought as decision awaits over potential rebuild of St James’ Park

By the time Sunday 16 March dawns, Newcastle United’s short-, medium- and long-term future should be considerably clearer. The day itself will see Eddie Howe either leading his team out at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final or rewatching videos of the previous day’s scheduled Premier League fixture at home to Crystal Palace. It all hinges on a two-part Carabao Cup semi-final against Arsenal, with the first leg in north London on Tuesday night.

Howe has frequently reiterated his “burning desire” to end a club trophy drought stretching back to 1969 and the European Fairs Trophy. “Arsenal’s a massive game for us,” he said on Monday. “We’re under no illusions as to how big this is for our season.”