EDDIE Howe says it could feel like a "betrayal" were Newcastle United to leave St James' Park but admits club chiefs have to be driven by more than just emotion as they weigh up their "huge decision" on the stadium's future.

Newcastle bosses and leading architects are continuing to weigh up whether the Magpies are better served redeveloping their current home or moving to a new stadium, with a decision not expected until next year.

Fresh reports earlier this week claimed expanding St James' Park could cost Newcastle as much as £1bn.

Staying at United's "unique" current home has always been Howe's preference but the head coach admits there's an awful lot to consider - and says Newcastle also have to weigh up "what they could gain" with a move to a new stadium rather than just what they'd lose should they leave St James'.

He said: “It’s a difficult one for someone like myself who people will want to know my opinion but I’m not based with all the facts. I’m not hearing the pros and cons behind all the decisions.

“I think my natural instincts was always to stay at St James’ Park. It’s an incredible place to play football. It’s our home, so to think about moving somewhere else feels a little bit of a betrayal to somewhere that has served us so well, but we are well aware that as a football club we need to increase our revenue so people with more brain cells will make the decision for the benefit of the long term future of the football club and that’s always the most important thing so I could be swayed but just my natural instinct is to want to stay.

"It's a massive decision because it will affect the next how many years of the football club. It's a decision where you won't be able to please everybody. There will be different opinions.

"It's truly only the people assessing the pros and cons that can really make the decision. It's very easy to give an opinion from the outside. Until you know all the facts, it's very difficult to. You've got a huge thing on cost, the extra revenue you could get, so it's a huge decision to make."

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If Newcastle bosses decide against the development of St James' Park, the alternative option is to build a new stadium on the land currently occupied by Leazes Park.

Howe says the current location of the club's home is one of the things that makes St James' Park special.

"The positioning where it is in the city is totally unique," he said.

"I'd hate to see the stadium move from its current position because it dominates the eyeline of the whole city and you can see it from miles around. That's really inspiring. Wherever you are in Newcastle, you get a glimpse and, personally, I always think to the next game where we are going to be there.

“It’s not necessarily the biggest, there’s just something about the look of the stadium and the feel of it. When you’re there it’s just a great place to play football.

"When you're in it, I don't know how it creates it, but the atmosphere, the look of the stadium, is a beautiful thing. I love being there, I love experiencing games there and I love winning there. That's the best bit.

But Howe knows Newcastle's decision must be based on what can aid the club in their desire to reach the very top.

"I think you have to also look at what you could gain, you can’t just look at what you’re going to lose," he said.

"What you could gain could be equally as special and the club has to move forward. It can’t be stuck in the past or be romantic to a degree. There’s finances to thin of and that will affect the long-term success of the club so that is why it’s not a clearcut decision.”