EDDIE HOWE has admitted that “someone could leave” his Newcastle United squad before the transfer window closes on Thursday night.

The Magpies boss watched his side reach the fifth round of the FA cup this evening as goals from Sean Longstaff and Dan Burn secured a 2-0 win over Fulham.

Off the pitch, a considerable amount of uncertainty remains though, with speculation continuing to surround a number of players as Newcastle’s executive team wrestle with the challenge of remaining within the financial parameters laid out by the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability rules.

Miguel Almiron, who was absent from this evening’s game because of an illness, remains of interest to Saudi Arabian side Al-Shabab, while Callum Wilson has also been linked with a number of clubs in the Premier League.

Kieran Trippier and Jamaal Lascelles have been touted as potential departees, leaving Howe to admit that he still does not know what the next few days could bring.

“It’s difficult because I’m not in daily or hourly contact with what’s going on,” said the Newcastle boss. “I’m sort of a step removed from everything.

“There’s a possibility someone could leave before the window shuts, I think I made that clear in the press conference. I don’t think that’s changed, but we’ll just have to wait and see what happens.”

It now looks extremely unlikely that Newcastle will bring anyone in before the window closes, forcing Howe to admit that he would happily take the status quo if it meant no one leaving his squad either.

“Would I take that? Yeah, I probably would,” said Howe. “If you gave me that choice now, I would probably take it.

“That’s with no knowledge of what’s going to happen in the next few days because I’m probably as much in the dark as you are. I’ve been out of contact for 24 hours. Let’s see what happens when I get back into what else is happening, other than this game. I think if we’re able to go with the same squad that we have had, then I would take that.”

Almiron would appear to be the closest player to an exit, and for all that his absence from today’s game was enforced, the Paraguayan continues to be linked with a possible move to the Saudi Pro League.

“Miggy is genuinely ill,” said Howe. “He’s been so important for us. Last year, he was a big goal-getter for us. This year, he’s worked incredibly hard, and he’s been reliable for us. He’s always been fit. He hasn’t missed many games, and that’s been vitally important for us when we’ve had so many injuries to our attacking players.

“He’s not underestimated by me in terms of his personality and what he produces on the pitch. Of course, I’d like to keep him.”