Newcastle United have no plans to sack manager Eddie Howe at the moment, sources have told Football Insider.

The 48-year-old still has plenty of credit in the bank at St James’ Park after leading Newcastle into the Champions League twice in recent years, and the board are continuing to back him amid a difficult run of form.

Newcastle were beaten at home by Brentford on Saturday, which prompted unrest from the home supporters after the full-time whistle, but sources say that the club hierarchy are desperate to avoid making a knee-jerk reaction.

There is an acceptance within the board that Howe and the team have faced a difficult situation of late, with a string of challenging fixtures coinciding with fresh injury problems.

Newcastle’s difficult season of injuries

Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett exclusively told Football Insider that Kieran Trippier could have been sent off for Newcastle on Saturday, as he pulled the shirt of Keane Lewis-Potter while he was bearing down on goal in just the second minute.

Had referee Andy Madley have interpreted the incident in the same way, then it would have added yet more strain on a Newcastle squad that is already being stretched to its limits of late.

The Magpies were without five major senior stars for Saturday’s defeat, as Fabian Schar, Tino Livramento, Joelinton, Lewis Miley and Anthony Gordon all missed the game through injury.

Howe has had to deal with crises like this all throughout the season, with key defender Sven Botman only returning from a lengthy lay-off at the start of January, while £55million summer buy Yoane Wissa couldn’t even make an appearance until December.

The effects of those issues have evidently been felt on the pitch, as Howe has regularly had to rely on his backup options in key areas of the team.

The injuries have slowed Newcastle’s progress this season, to the point where the possibility of Champions League qualification is likely already out of reach.

Champions League crucial to Sandro Tonali’s future at Newcastle

Football Insider recently revealed that Sandro Tonali may push to leave Newcastle in the summer if they do not secure Champions League qualification for next season.

The Italian has been linked with the likes of Juventus and Arsenal of late, with the Gunners even making a last-minute approach for the midfielder on deadline day.

Tonali’s long-term future at Newcastle could depend on their ability to qualify for Europe’s premier club competition, but that now seems a distant possibility, with an 11-point gap between them and the top four at the moment.

The 25-year-old’s future has been under scrutiny of late, and the Magpies could potentially face a situation akin to that which they experienced with Alexander Isak last summer.