Will there be a mass exodus of Newcastle's best players?

The next part of our Q&A with BBC Sport's Newcastle United reporter Ciaran Kelly looks at potential big-name departures and Eddie Howe's future.

Jeff asked: Will there be a mass exodus of our best players this summer - Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes, Anthony Gordon - or do we have strength because of their contract situations?

Ciaran answered: Newcastle have to become better sellers in order to reinvest in multiple areas of the side, and I don't see the club shying away from trading this summer.

That does not mean that there will be a mass exodus, but I can certainly envisage a couple of key figures moving on for sizeable fees, along with a number of squad players.

As you rightly point out, Newcastle are in a strong position to demand huge sums.

As I said in my first answer earlier, Tonali effectively has four years left to run on his deal, while Gordon's contract also does not expire until 2030.

It is a little different with Guimaraes, whose deal runs out in 2028, but I've had no information that the Newcastle captain is seeking to leave.

Although Tino Livramento's contract is also up in a couple of years, and there has been no progress in talks, I still think Newcastle would be in a strong position to command a premium for the England international, who is still only 23.

If you were to push me on it, right now, I would say Livramento and Tonali were most likely to depart, but there are bound to be twists and turns in the coming months.

Alexander asked: Do you think Howe should be given more time to get things right?

Ciaran answered: Certainly until at least the end of the season. That would then feel like an opportune time for all parties - Howe included - to sit down and review the campaign and plot the best way forward.

There have been notable achievements this season - qualifying for the last 16 of the Champions League and reaching a third EFL Cup semi-final in four years - but this has been a bruising campaign.

Newcastle are 12th in the Premier League for a reason and, rather than the season being as good as over, it feels like there is a lot riding on the final seven games.

Chief executive David Hopkinson has inferred as much.

"I expect to have a great run to the end of the season here and we'll talk about the future when it's time," he said this week.

Howe, similarly, will just be focusing on the run-in.

The Newcastle head coach will have the rare luxury of extra recovery time and training time as a relentless schedule finally eases following six draining months.

This is where Howe has previously come into his own at Newcastle after leading his side to Champions League qualification in 2023 and 2025, when they felt the benefit of being able to focus solely on domestic matters.

The top five looks out of reach this time around, but Howe has to generate some momentum in the final weeks of the season and qualify for Europe, for me.

Although Newcastle have not exactly got a great recent record against some of their upcoming opponents, and have suffered some damaging results at the hands of sides in the bottom half this season, Howe's team do not have the worst run-in.

In fact, league leaders Arsenal are the only side currently in the top eight who Newcastle will face between now and the end of the campaign.

Throw in the fact the squad will be lifted by the return of talisman Guimaraes, as well as Lewis Miley and Fabian Schar, and Howe has the tools to finish the season strongly.

Then it feels like the time to take stock before what is sure to be a busy summer.

Come back later on Wednesday for the final part of our Q&A, which will look at how far Newcastle are off competing at the top.