Dan Ashworth’s possible exit to Red Devils poses ‘secret’ Newcastle United problem for Eddie Howe

Eddie Howe has expressed his concerns about Dan Ashworth’s likely departure from Newcastle United — due to the sporting director knowing all of the Magpies’ transfer and strategy secrets.

Ashworth is subject to interest from Manchester United, and club insiders believe an official approach from the Red Devils, fresh from their Jim Ratcliffe investment, is imminent.

It is understood Ashworth would be interested in moving to Old Trafford for a similar role, especially due to his long-standing relationship with Ineos chief Dave Brailsford, who has been put in charge of operations since the 25 percent stake buyout was ratified by the Premier League.

That poses a massive problem for the Magpies’ hierarchy. Not only would they have to replace Ashworth, widely regarded as one of the best sporting directors his nation has ever produced, but they would also potentially be giving away the keys to their secrets to a direct Premier League rival.

When asked about the subject, Howe said he wants a swift resolution to the issue. The head coach stopped short of praising the role Ashworth had played in Newcastle’s recent transformation, but did admit concerns about Ashworth knowing the Magpies’ plans.

“I think your concerns are relevant. I don’t know how much I can say on that but I share your opinion,” said Howe when asked about Ashworth knowing secrets.

“Obviously it’s been in the news a lot and usually with these things, that means something’s going to happen. But as we speak now, we’ve had no contact from anyone.

“It’s quite an unusual situation. Usually there’s transfer speculation on players; this is very different. Yes, of course, I think we want whatever happens a quick resolution.”

When quizzed on whether he believes it is a blow to lose Ashworth, Howe’s response added intrigue to the debate, as he suggested, after just one full season of work behind him, the fruits of his labor could not be assessed.

Howe said: “It’s a difficult one because when you’re in that role, I think you need longevity to actually see the fruits of your labor. It’s sort of a long-term position and I think the people who have done it best in the Premier League throughout time have always had a period of real stability because change takes a long time at any football club to get those processes exactly how you want them to be. Dan’s had a relatively short time here, but let’s see what happens.

“Football always moves on very quickly, and I’d say that regarding the manager’s position. Newcastle is a huge football club, it will continue to work in a very efficient way regardless of who is here. We’ve got some very, very capable people here in all departments, so we would carry on very smoothly.

“I think there has to be a succession plan, as you say, for everybody: players, managers, you name the position, I think there needs to be a strategy. There is a strategy, of course, from the board above, who I think since they have come to the football club, have run the club really well.”

On the pitch, the Magpies have a clash with Howe’s former charges AFC Bournemouth at St. James’ Park to contend with this weekend. And, as has been the case so often this campaign, Howe will have to face the challenge with yet more injury concerns and doubts.

The biggest blow of the last seven days has been the news that Callum Wilson, who only returned to the starting XI for the win at Nottingham Forest last weekend, could now miss the rest of the season with a torn pectoral muscle.

On Wilson, Howe said: “It was a really strange injury. He got in a tussle with the center-back right at the end of the game. Initially, just from my view I thought he must have hurt his shoulder but it wasn’t, it was a muscle in his pec.

“We had it scanned and we hoped initially he could carry on and he felt good actually, he felt functionally fine and was moving his arm at full strength. But when he went to see a specialist, I think it was apparent quite early that he needed it operated on and he’s having that operation as we speak.

“It’s no doubt a big blow for him because I think he’s looking at various things. His first priority is always Newcastle and he feels it has been a really stop-start season for him. He takes that burden of being one of our two strikers very seriously. He was very disappointed in that respect and of course, he had England on the horizon.

“We hope he’ll be back before the end of the season. We hope we will see him again, but I’d never rule out anything for Callum. He could come back and still play an important part toward the end of the season for us.”

It looks like Alexander Isak’s return might be pushed back a week also, leaving the burden of striker duties to Anthony Gordon.

“Probably not for the weekend,” Howe said on the Swede’s fitness.

“He’s very, very, very close and is looking really good. I’m really pleased with the progress he’s made. I think mentally you can see he feels free and good, so let’s wait and see.

“He’s had a period where he picked up a very similar injury to his groin. The latest injury he’s had — because this is the third time he’s had the injury in a similar area — is in a different place.

“I just think that for whatever reason, that’s happened. He has played a lot of games, he has played 90 minutes off the back of not a lot of training time because we were forced to do that, so I think there are reasons behind that. I don’t think it’s a case of Alex not being robust enough. He’s an incredible athlete, actually, and we’re very lucky to have him.”

Meanwhile, fellow Sweden international Emil Krafth this week penned a new one-year deal at the club, extending his stay to six years on Tyneside.

Howe said: “He’s just a very dependable, really good trainer and player. He’s very reliable and I can’t speak highly enough of him in a sense of how he handled his injury. It was a very difficult moment for him, he was in good form and had a really powerful end to the season when we were trying to avoid relegation. He then got the injury and worked his way back throughout pre-season and has looked as good as new since he’s come back and that’s not easy to do with the injury he had.

“(He) fully deserves his new contract and he’s got a big part to play in our future.”