Newcastle Confidential Q&A: CRAIG HOPE reveals how many players Toon will sign this summer, the new Premier League left back and Bundesliga 'keeper on radar, who will go this summer with update on Tino Livramento, and will Eddie Howe stay?

Newcastle United answered some big questions during Wednesday's last-gasp 2-1 win over Manchester United, setting them up for a mouth-watering run against Manchester City, Barcelona, Chelsea and Sunderland.

Will Osula's superb curling effort sparked euphoria for the 10 men in black and white and ended a three-game losing run at St James' Park.

But so many questions remain on and off the pitch at the club right now, and you have been sending yours to our chief football reporter Craig Hope.

Here, he tackles all the key issues in our Newcastle Confidential Q&A special…

Will Osula's superb curling effort sparked euphoria for the 10 men in black and white on Wednesday and ended a three-game run of defeats at St James' Park in the Premier League

Based on squad injuries this season, and a lack of consistency, do you expect Newcastle to make more than 5-6 signings this summer to improve the squad overall? (@Ethanpurvis7)

Yes. Based on recent conversations - and with an expectation that a few could leave - the number of potential incomings spoken about starts at six and goes as high as eight.

It’s likely that loanee Aaron Ramsdale will return to Southampton, while Kieran Trippier and Emil Krafth will leave on free transfers (Fabian Schar is also yet to sign an extension) and there is no certainty over the futures of Tino Livramento, Sandro Tonali or Anthony Gordon, even though the latter pair are contracted until 2030.

Livramento, as revealed in this column last year, has not engaged in new contract talks and, with two years to run, an offer from suitors Manchester City would have to be considered. The more folk I speak to, the more I expect that deal to happen.

As for Tonali, suggestions that he's indicated he wants to stay next season are not yet the case. That’s not to say he’s communicated he wants to leave, but if a fair offer comes along and he indicates a desire to pursue it, I don’t think we’ll see a summer-long saga like last time with Alexander Isak.

The club know that decisive action - be that with incomings or outgoings - is necessary this time around.

The more folk I speak to, the more I expect Tino Livramento to join Manchester City

Do the club share the fans’ realisation that last summer set us back massively? Prior to that I had huge faith in them in the market but a lot of that confidence has dissipated… (@Capitao39)

This leads on from the previous question, and to answer it requires a yes and a no.

Yes, there is a realisation that how the club was structured to operate last summer was damaging - no sporting director or chief executive, the outgoing Paul Mitchell left in situ during the critical month of June and delays at ownership level on some key decisions, namely: what to do with Isak.

But I don’t think they believe the six signings made ‘set them back massively’ - there are maybe varying degrees of faith, but there is still belief that most if not all can come good given time.

No one will deny that they have not impacted as expected or needed on the whole, especially when a premium was paid for some to be Premier League ready.

To address your concerns, though, it’s a big summer for the club to restore that confidence after what had been a largely flawless transfer record. Ross Wilson is working around the clock (and the globe) to make sure those plans are in place, rather than being drawn up on the hoof.

Why are you so critical of Nick Woltemade but don’t seem to keep that energy for under-performing players in the team such as Nick Pope, Dan Burn and Kieran Trippier? (@ToonIanB)

There is a focus on Woltemade (be that me, my colleagues or club legends such as Alan Shearer) because he is a £69million club-record buy who is being used in midfield when he was signed as a striker. That has captured the imagination of many even beyond Tyneside.

It’s a valid and important point of analysis and investigation. And let’s be fair, Pope and Burn have had that too at various times. Most recently it was Gordon. I don’t think it’s right to say only Woltemade gets attention. But yes, right now, the surprise conversion to midfield coupled with one goal in 19 appearances has led to inspection - that’s not unfair, for me.

Nick Woltemade is a £69million club-record buy who is being used in midfield when he was signed as a striker. That has captured the imagination of many even beyond Tyneside

I appreciate there is a want among some supporters to protect a 24-year-old player who has come into a new league and did brilliantly early on. There is a lot to like about him. But as an observer who will always say it as I see it, the compatibility of Woltemade to the team and the Premier League needs to be explored.

He needs time and exposure to Eddie Howe and his coaching staff over a longer period - and all of my information is that will be the case - but, in the isolation of his performances of late, he is struggling to impact as the team needs.

Are there any new names emerging as a target for the summer window? (@DlMag23)

I reported last week that Union Saint-Gilloise right winger Anan Khalaili was admired and being watched closely.

From right wing to left back, another player I know they have been impressed with is Hugo Bueno of Wolves. If Wolves are relegated, as is extremely likely, Bueno would probably feature highly on the list of options to strengthen a position in need of depth beyond the brilliant Lewis Hall.

The 23-year-old Spaniard has featured 29 times this season and has caught the eye with his athleticism across all areas of the left flank, also scoring an excellent curling effort against leaders Arsenal last month.

If Wolves are relegated, as is extremely likely, Hugo Bueno would probably feature highly on the list of options to strengthen a position in need of depth beyond the brilliant Lewis Hall

Is there anything in the rumours of Brighton's Bart Verbruggen being our top goalkeeper target? (@TinosFurCoat)

Yes, Newcastle really like Verbruggen. But there is a but… and that is he plays for Brighton, who are notoriously strong negotiators and would demand a significant fee in excess of £40m.

There would also be competition, and Newcastle do not want to get drawn into a transfer tussle that extends way into the summer. So while there is definite interest in Verbruggen, it comes with an asterisk, is what I’m told.

Another name to keep a very close eye on is Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel. Newcastle have watched him for a couple of seasons now and, while he does not necessarily fit the profile of a younger keeper at 28 years old, there is an acceptance that needs must in a position which will be addressed this summer.

Switzerland No 1 Kobel has 19 international caps and Champions League experience, and would represent a relatively low-risk signing.

The 6ft 5in stopper has two years to run on his deal at Dortmund, for whom he has made 206 appearances in five seasons - including a pair of clean sheets against Newcastle in the Champions League group stage in 2023-24, when his side went all the way to the final.

Gregor Kobel (right) denies Callum Wilson in Borussia Dortmund's 1-0 win at St James' Park in 2023 - one of two clean sheets (and two wins) the Swiss keeper picked up against Newcastle

For the summer, what are the futures of Woltemade and Yoane Wissa, and would we look into the likes of Ollie Watkins, Ivan Toney or Darwin Nunez as stop-gap signings until we find a suitable replacement for Isak? (@NUFCMatty03) What does the future hold for Wissa? 4th choice behind Gordon, Woltemade & Osula? Seems apparent he's an expensive mistake (@paolohopez)

Firstly, Wissa. This takes us inside a press-room debate earlier this week. One colleague believes just that, Wissa is a very expensive mistake at £55m.

My take is that he would have thrived, had he not suffered the knee injury before training with his new team-mates.

Yes, the Wissa we see now looks as if he does not trust his body - and I know there are concerns among some over his running action - but the feeling is that he needs a full summer to build confidence, rhythm and fitness.

To that end, Wissa's DR Congo losing their World Cup play-off in Mexico this month - they face the winner of New Caledonia and Jamaica in a one-off shootout on March 31 - would perhaps be better for Newcastle, and maybe even the player.

Howe and his staff won’t give up on Wissa, even though yes, at present, he is now behind Osula in the pecking order. He isn’t in a good place in terms of being able to impact, but there needs to be understanding. He scored 19 Premier League goals last season for Brentford.

As for Woltemade, like Wissa he would benefit from a full summer (he won’t get it because of the World Cup) but reports of him telling the club he is unhappy and wants to return to Germany are not true.

If another striker were to come in this summer, and there is a strong chance of that, I don’t think those three mentioned would fit the profile.

It’s on Newcastle’s recruitment team to unearth a striker (not a No 10 who will be moved to No 8) aged 24 or younger with scope for development, and that would most likely be from the continent.

Eddie Howe and his staff won’t give up on Yoane Wissa (centre), even though yes, at present, he is now behind Osula (right) in the pecking order

Are we a team who only perform to our top levels when our back is to the wall against the so-called bigger teams? (@EireAuzPaolo)

Not always, but there is a trend of Newcastle reserving their best for nights like Manchester United this week, and most likely City in the FA Cup this Saturday and Barcelona on Tuesday.

The challenge is to find that level at home to a Bournemouth or Brentford or Brighton on a sleepy Sunday.

Those on the inside are aware of this and, so far, it’s a problem for which they are yet to find a solution. It does, though, give them hope going into Barca…

Is Botman our second-choice left centre back? Or is he carrying some sort of injury? (@Giniesta10)

Fitness and his recent return from injury is one reason why he isn’t getting a run in the team, but I also believe Dan Burn would be in Howe’s strongest XI.

Sven Botman is very good, but he hasn’t played more than 20 Premier League games in a season since his first. He needs to prove availability before he does ability.

How likely is it Howe is still our manager come the summer? (@BDB_1892)

Extremely. Nothing I have heard would suggest a change of manager is on the horizon, be that from the club’s perspective or that of Howe.

Joe Willock - keep or sell? What’s the word at the moment? (@NUFC__USA)

I think he will go given his contract expires in 2027, but not on the cheap. Willock has shown his worth in recent weeks and was fantastic away at Paris Saint-Germain in January.

Newcastle would only sell if a package made financial sense for them. That would have been the case in the January transfer window, too.

Joe Willock has shown his worth in recent weeks and was fantastic away at Paris Saint-Germain in January

Why the delay in the training ground development? It’s not restricted by PSR rules (@AWWilde1)

The announcement is due and work is being done in preparation for that on a daily basis.

When the club do go public, it will be a £200m complex at Woolsington that is revealed.

As for PSR - yes, infrastructural investment falls outside of those calculations, so there is surprise why it has taken more than four years to get to this point.

For me, they have lost time, money and some important messaging in terms of ambition and intent by waiting so long.