A REFLECTIVE Emre has insisted he remains committed to Newcastle's rebuilding project, but the Turkish midfielder has also warned the Magpies hierarchy that their future ambitions must match his own.

Despite suffering from a series of hamstring problems at the turn of the year, the 25-year-old has been one of Newcastle's biggest success stories this season.

His combative qualities were a significant feature in the club's recent revival under caretaker manager Glenn Roeder.

Alongside fellow ball-winner Scott Parker, the former Inter Milan midfielder has helped to banish much of the negativity that surrounded former boss Graeme Souness.

But, just as five successive wins underlined the potential in the current Newcastle squad, so back-to-back defeats to Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea have underlined just how far the Magpies still have to go if they are to challenge for honours next season.

With a permanent successor to both Souness and Alan Shearer still to be found, the club's board face some difficult decisions before the Premiership resumes in August.

And, with Emre already in demand from a number of leading Turkish sides, those decisions could determine the midfielder's long-term fate.

"This season has not been what I expected," admitted Emre, who was banished to the bench as Newcastle crashed out of the FA Cup on Wednesday night.

"When I came here in the summer we were expecting to challenge for a European place but, because of the terrible injuries we had at the start of the season, that has not been possible.

"The manager who signed me has gone and we do not have any chance of winning a trophy this season, it has been a difficult season.

"I cannot say for certain if I will still be a Newcastle player next season, but I am happy here. It is a good club, I like the supporters and I am settled in the area.

"But you can never be certain about anything in football. I will have to see what happens in the summer. It depends on who the new manager is and the new players who are signed. That will make my decision."

With another summer of upheaval beckoning, Emre's refusal to commit to Tyneside is troubling. But, while the Turkey international will continue to keep his options open, he claims there is enough ability at St James' Park to make him optimistic about what could lie ahead in the future.

"There are good signs," he explained. "If you look at the performance and not the result against Chelsea, we did very well despite not having our strongest side on the pitch.

"I think there is a good group of players here, but the squad needs to be strengthened in the summer. I cannot say how many players the club should buy. That is not up to me, that is for the chairman and the new manager to decide.

"But we do need to bring in new people in certain areas and that will be very important in the summer as the club has to show it is ambitious."

The most significant appointment will obviously be that of the new manager.

Newcastle officials remain confident of securing the services of long-term preference Martin O'Neill, but it is understood that the likes of Sam Allardyce and Paul Jewell are also being considered as back-up options should the Ulsterman choose to replace Sven Goran Eriksson following this summer's World Cup.

Glenn Roeder's star has waned following three defeats in a fortnight but, despite being dropped by the stand-in boss on Wednesday, Emre insists the former Academy coach possesses the necessary qualities for the job.

"I like Glenn Roeder and I am happy with him as manager," he said. "I would like him to get the job, but that is also not up to me, that is up to the chairman. Only he can make that sort of decision.

"I respected the manager's decision to leave me out, I respect him and there is no problem. He made his decision for the team."

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