EDDIE Howe has told of the importance of "inspirational" Matt Ritchie behind the scenes at Newcastle and said the veteran winger deserved his moment in the spotlight after his last gasp leveller against Bournemouth.

Ritchie is a fringe figure for the Magpies in terms of match opportunities but a hugely influential member of the dressing room, which is why Howe was so desperate for the club to active the option of a further year in his contract when it was due to expire last summer.

The 34-year-old had only made seven substitute appearances this season before he was brought off the bench in stoppage time against his former club on Saturday and scored his first goal in almost four years - a reward, said Howe, for his unseen work on Tyneside.

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"He's an inspirational character behind the scenes," said the Newcastle boss.

"He's someone who drives standards every day in training. He's very vocal, very enthusiastic, even in the changing room before the game he's the one driving the group. And that's someone who hasn't played as much as he'd like but he's put the team ahead of his own needs.

"When you see someone like that you just hope they will get their reward. I've tried to reward him with my value being as high as it could be and desperately wanting to keep him here last year because of those standards he drives and because he's a role model.

"He gives his experience to players in ways that even I don't know. For him to get that moment and score that goal, it's huge for us and I'm delighted for him.

"What he's given the group while he's been out of the team behind the scenes has been incredible and I'm just so pleased he's had a moment where everyone gets to talk about him and recognise his qualities."