Newcastle legend Shearer: Howe will remain manager next season

Newcastle legend Alan Shearer says Eddie Howe deserves to stay in charge next season.

Shearer was speaking after Newcastle's FA Cup defeat to Manchester City.

He said on BBC Sport: I would say though, he needs fresh players to come in the summer. He needs that opportunity to get a few out, then they need a new set of legs coming in.

There are a lot of players who have certainly not hit the heights of last season, this season - at least four or five of them."

On Howe's future, Shearer said: I think there have been mitigating circumstances. When you talk about the injuries, particularly to [Nick] Pope and Joelinton - those two players have really been missed because they add so much to that team.

But, I know he [Howe] has enough in the bank. He'll be the manager at Newcastle next season no matter what happens, whether they finish mid-table or whether they are able to get a place somewhere in Europe.

"He's got enough in the bank with what he did last season, they've got that belief in him and so they should do."