Howe on Tonali, summer plans and ending season 'on a high'

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe has been speaking to the media before Sunday's final Premier League game of the season against Fulham at Craven Cottage (kick-off 16:00 BST).

Here are the key lines from his news conference:

• Sandro Tonali will be assessed on Friday to see if he will be available after going off against West Ham last weekend. Howe added that he doesn't think "it was anything too serious".
• Howe confirmed he has had "a few discussions" with Fabian Schar - whose contract expires this summer - and is hopeful "it can come to a successful conclusion".
• On William Osula's recent form: "It's been a great boost for us all. He's deserved the opportunity and he's taken it really well. It helps to have players in form and he's only going to get better."
• He said Sunday's an "important match" as he wants to "to end the season on a high" and "continue the upturn in our recent performances and in-possession play".
• He described this season as one with "huge ups and downs" with "lots of sways of momentum and lots of different feelings".
• On having no European football next season: "There's no point being negative for too long. You've got to come out with a clear head. We've done well in the Premier League when we've had no European games. It makes it a little simpler for us in what our aims are. We have to go about achieving it."
• He said he would "love to get players through the doors early" for the start of pre-season, but how the transfer window will play out is unknown because of the World Cup. He added: "Things could be stagnant and move quite late."
• On what he wants this summer to look like: "We need to be ready to twist and turn, depending on what happens. We certainly want a smoother one than last summer."
• He would like "a stronger, tighter squad that's ready to fight next season for the football club" and added: "As long as I have that, I'm happy."

Hit play above to hear Howe speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle's Matthew Raisbeck and BBC Look North's Mark Tulip, or listen on BBC Sounds here

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