EDDIE Howe has outlined the importance of Newcastle United appointing a new sporting director before the summer transfer window, as the Magpies close in on bringing their exhaustive search for Dan Ashworth's replacement to an end.

The Magpies have cast their net wide in the recruitment of a new chief and have whittled down candidates to a final shortlist of two, with Dougie Freedman favourite as things stand to get the job.

Highly-rated Freedman is currently sporting director at Crystal Palace and is widely admired in the game, with Manchester United having also courted the former striker.

Johannes Spors, currently global sporting director at the 777 Group, is also said to have held talks with the Magpies, but Freedman appears to be in pole position as things stand.

Head coach Howe hasn't been directly involved in the recruitment process but has been consulted by bosses on the final candidates and hopes an appointment is finalised before the summer transfer window opens in the middle of June.

"Ideally (that would be the case)," he said.

"With any transfer window, whether it's January or the summer, if you can be best prepared with the best tools you'll have better results. So yes, but I don't think it's absolutely imperative because we will work regardless within the same systems and the same way we've always done.

"If you look back at our transfer windows since I've been here, I've been pleased."

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Howe added: "I’ve spoken to respective people involved in the process. I haven’t been involved in any of the early stages. I’m coming in from the side, so it’s difficult for me to give an opinion. But I have been consulted and I think that’s important."

Howe insists, however, he doesn't know how close Newcastle are to making an appointment.

He said: "I've no idea, I'm not involved in the day to day aspect of recruiting that person, whoever that may be. But when that's decided, that will be a big step forward."

Spors, 41, has previously been RB Leipzig's head of recruitment and has a track record in the European transfer market. But 49-year-old Freedman has impressed enormously at Selhurst Park, where he has unearthed some transfer gems such as Eberechi Eze and Michael Olise.

Freedman also has the experience of previously been a manager, not that that matters, says Howe.

"I don't think that's important or imperative," he said.

"It's nice if sometimes the person you're working with or who's supporting you has an idea of what you're going through as a manager but you can see many world class sporting directors who haven't been in that position.

"It's all about the individual, not what they've done previously."

Ashworth is still on gardening leave, with Newcastle and Manchester United having not yet reached an agreement on compensation.