EDDIE Howe says there'll be no overhaul of his Newcastle United squad this summer, regardless of where the Magpies finish - and has stressed the importance of the need to be "smart" in the transfer market.

Even if Newcastle finish in the top four and secure Champions League football - which is looking increasingly probable - Howe has warned that there won't be an "unlimited budget" on Tyneside, and financial fair play rules will dictate the club's business.

“An overhaul of the squad is very difficult to do anyway, it’s almost impossible in this day and age with the prices of players,” said Howe, ahead of Newcastle United's trip to Everton on Thursday night.

“We’re not going to have an unlimited budget, we’re going to have to be very smart with what we do.

"Financial Fair Play has been there for us since I've been at this football club and I think it will continue to be. Certainly it's forcing clubs to act in a certain way. They are the rules so we have to fall in line."

Howe has already told of his desire to sign "elite" players this summer, which will be necessary if Newcastle are at the top table next term, but the club will also have one eye on the future and taking advantage of untapped markets to sign players deemed to have huge potential, as they did when signing Garang Kuol in January.

Those players, like Kuol, will be sent out on loan initially with the hope they can establish themselves as Newcastle first team players in the long run.

Howe explained: "There's a desire from the club to sign young players with huge potential for the future and maybe use the loan market.

"It's very difficult for us to continually sign, with financial fair play, ready made players who can go straight into the Premier League. They come at a huge cost.

"To be smart and invest in young players is definitely an avenue for us, but then the quality of recruitment has to be right, so it's a big challenge.

"Ideally you need a mixture of signings in any window. It won't be an overhaul of the squad, we'll try and be very selective with what we do."

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While Howe and Newcastle's bosses are planning ahead for the summer window, the primary and immediate focus for the head coach is on ensuring the Magpies continue their outstanding recent form and build on the dismantling of Tottenham when they head for Everton.

Howe said: "I think it’s hugely important that we don’t settle, that after a victory like we had on Sunday we don’t sit back and relax.

"We have to use the confidence we have from the game, the way we played, the manner of the performance, and use it to fuel us even more to try and recreate those moment again. That is the reaction we need.”