Newcastle United sporting director Dan Ashworth has stated that head coach Eddie Howe cannot easily leave for the England job.

The Magpies are delighted with the start that Howe has made to life in Tyneside.

Newcastle are currently in the Premier League top six, as they prepare for a game against Manchester United this weekend.

Asked about Howe taking the England job after Gareth Southgate, Ashworth told Chronicle Live: "From a club point of view I would like to think we have done everything we can with Eddie and his staff. We have given Eddie and his staff a long-term deal.

"So we have shown our support to him and how much we think of him. We have tried to give him the right tools, whether that is facilities or player recruitment.

"Whether it is enhancing some of the departments we spoke about earlier, we have just given him all the support we can. That includes the fans! Obviously, I work closely with Eddie and I speak to him every day."

He added: "Things are in a good place and I would sincerely hope and be confident he'd stay. But I can't speak for Eddie and I can't speak for the FA about whether Gareth stays until 2024 or whether there will be a vacancy or whether Gareth stays beyond that.

"Whether there is vacancy or whether Eddie is on their list. I can't speak for that. All we can do is control the controllables and make sure Eddie gets the support around him that gives him every chance of succeeding."

On a release clause, he finished: "No. We have done everything we can from a contractual point of view that you'd do for a manager coaching staff to protect the club as much as we can."