Newcastle United caretaker boss Graeme Jones says Eddie Howe had no contact with the players before their 1-1 draw at Brighton.

The 1-1 draw at Brighton lifted Newcastle off the bottom of the pile and ensured they don't go into the international break on the back of a defeat.

When asked about Howe's involvement as he took a seat between Amanda Staveley and Jason Tindall, Jones said: “He didn't have any input. I've had no contact with him.

“Eddie's a professional man.

“He will have realised that I was doing the game and I'd planned it, and he left me alone to focus on it."

When asked if he had been briefed on what happens next, Jones said: “I haven't had anything. It was good to see him at the game, but we'll have to wait and see what the outcome of that is still. I've just got on with things."