With the prospect of Champions League football on the horizon at Newcastle United, every result and big game performance matters not only for the club in terms of points and actually qualifying, but for the players who wish to be at the club and starting when next season rolls around.

Whilst the likes of Alexander Isak, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes will have no doubts about their positions, fringe players on Tyneside will be looking to make a monumental impression on the manager and the club executives to put try and lock down a place for themselves next season.

And now Howe has personally called upon one Newcastle player to make a name for himself in the final nine games of the season and truly push for a starting place moving forward.

Gordon vs Barnes? 

Eddie Howe has hailed Harvey Barnes’ goal threat and performances since stepping into the side, challenging the winger to “make it impossible” for him to be dropped ahead of Anthony Gordon’s return from a ban.

With Gordon still struggling with an injury picked up on international duty with England, the 24-year-old has yet to train fully since returning to the club.

But he’ll soon be looking to take spot back – and Howe has now challenged Barnes to make the starting left winger position his own.

Howe challenges Barnes

Speaking to the media on Friday, the gaffer outlined the current situation at left wing, and the selection headache he faces once both Gordon and Barnes are both fit and available.

“Harvey has been chomping at the bit to play. He has been desperate to showcase what he can do, he brings unique things to the group, he is a goal threat.

“I trust him a lot. He has a lot of great attributes. I have been really happy how he has come into the team; he has been a consistent threat for us.”

“When you get your opportunity, you have got to try and take it. You have got to try and grab it and make it impossible for me to take you out. That’s the challenge for Harvey and hopefully he continues to play well.”

The new and improved Harvey Barnes?

Harvey Barnes started the 24/25 season on fire, bailing the side out with crucial goals against Wolves, Bournemouth and Spurs in the opening few weeks of the season.

Since then, the trio of Gordon, Isak and Jacob Murphy has become Howe’s go-to, leaving Barnes with a respectable tally of five goals and three assists from 992 minutes in the PL this season: still very impressive for a winger often limited in terms of minute and opportunity.

But it’s been in these last few games where Barnes has started ahead of Gordon that the former Leicester star has been able to showcase improved physical levels and dedication – two values that Howe holds in immensely high regard in his players.

With so few opportunities to impress now left in this season for Barnes, the 27-year-old needs a strong goalscoring finish to his campaign if he wants to stand a credible chance of starting not only in the Premier League for Newcastle next season, but also on a European night.