TOON MAY BE FRIENDLESS & POTLESS.BUT IT'S NOT HOPELESS!

Howe: We don't have friends in market but we will stick to our long-term vision

- SIMON BIRD

EDDIE HOWE has delivered some harsh truths to his misfiring Newcastle squad.

Toon boss Howe told them that their Premier League nosedive can't be stopped by new signings because the mega-rich club are not allowed to spend.

It can't be stopped by players returning from injury because the treatment room is still too busy.

And it can't be stopped by loan deals because they have no allies willing to do them a favour.

But Howe stressed that there is one thing that can pull them out of their slump: good old hope.

The Tyneside boss is confident the club's super-wealthy Saudi owners are in it for the long haul but for now wants his stars to prove they can match champions Manchester City on Tyneside this evening.

Howe yesterday admitted that, because of FFP rules, he cannot afford to buy a player like Bournemouth striker Dominic Solanke, who has been linked with a move north.

And he echoed chief executive Darren Eales in saying he can't guarantee that top players won't be sold.